Despite their greater popularity than other insects, due to their beauty and gentle character butterflies are not spared from extinction. 306 species can be found in Singapore, this is one third of the total amount of butterflies that ever existed in Singapore. Butterflies are good indicators of plant biodiversity, because there is a strong correlation between plant species and butterfly species. The reason for this is that caterpillars feed on specific plants.

‘306 species can be found in Singapore, this is one third of the total amount of butterflies that ever existed in Singapore’

So, it’s obvious that if the host plants goes extinct that certain butterflies will follow. An other factor that contributes to the threatening of butterflies is fragmentation of the forests. The smaller the forest the smaller the internal area, this means there is more space for light exposure. This is a problem, because most species hide in dark areas of the forest.

Fumigation in residences and the use of insecticides are also causes of decreasing butterfly populations.

 

Common jay Graphium doson evemonides

The common jay is critically endangered and prefers open sunny locations and flies fast in search of flowering plants. The males puddle, that means they fly to damp roadside patches. Although the common Jay is widely found in Asia, it is only seen a few times in Pulau Ubin since 2004. So, probably only a small colony lives on the island it is probably not sustainable, because their host plants are endangered.

Chocolate sailor Neptis harita harita 

The Chocolate Sailor is vulnerable in Singapore, his habitat is thicket at the end of forested areas, mainly in the northern part of the Central Catchment Reserves. They are only observed on bright sunny days. The species is spread through whole South-east Asia. They are threatened because of loss of habitat and host plants, although their host plants are still unknown.