Branded Imperials and Common Posies

The small bridge at the start of the Taban Loop trail is not just a good place for snakes. Butterflies like the Branded Imperial can also be found there easily. I saw one at the same spot last June, but this time, there were a few Branded Imperials and a Common Posy accompanying them.

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This pretty forest butterfly is always present to greet visitors to the nature reserves of Singapore, never failing to delight nature enthusiasts with its bright orange colouration and long white tails. It is often seen fluttering in the shady understorey and thick vegetation, and rarely moving out to bright sunny areas. The Branded Imperial is local in distribution, but is not uncommon. Frequently, a few individuals are observed, frolicking and chasing each other in shady vegetation.

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Here's the Common Posy, which had part of its hind wing torn off.

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Male Common Posies have a dark brown forewing and the hindwing a very attractive azure blue. The female is mainly brown, with a faint orange discal patch in some individuals. The underside is orange on the forewing with orange and black markings, and mainly white on the hindwing, with black solid bands and spots.

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At times all three butterflies would rest together at a particular spot but would fly off when I came too close. But they decided to give this poor young man just one chance and I quickly snapped a picture of them together.

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