09 April 2016

Life History of the Conjoined Swift

Life History of the Conjoined Swift (Pelopidas conjunctus conjunctus)


Butterfly Biodata:
Genus: Pelopidas Walker, 1870
Species: conjunctus Herrich-Schäffer, 1869
Sub-Species: conjunctus Herrich-Schäffer, 1869
Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 42-45mm
Caterpillar Local Host Plant: Panicum maximum (Poaceae, common names: Guniea Grass).




Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:
On the upperside, the wings are dark brown. There are pale yellowish-white hyaline spots in spaces 2-4, 6-8 and two cell spots in the forewing. Both sexes also have an additional spot in space 1b of the forewing. On the underside, the wings are paler ochreous brown. The forewing has the same spots as per the upperside, and the hindwing has a cell spot and a series of post-discal spots in spaces 2 to 5.



Field Observations of Butterfly Behaviour:
The Conjoined Swift is moderately rare in Singapore. Unrecorded and likely missed by early butterfly researchers, it was discovered recently and added to the Singapore checklist. The adults have been sighted at grassy wastelands and fringes of nature reserves. They fly with a swift, strong and darting flight.