Caleta elna elvira (Elbowed Pierrot)

This photo depicts a rather worn-out specimen of this black-and-white butterfly that is often observed singly in the nature reserves.  The wings above are predominantly black, with a broad white band extending from the forewing to the hindwing.  The hindwing possesses a pair of slender white-tipped tails (obviously lost in this photographed specimen).  The Elbowed Pierrot can be separated from its close cousin, the Straight Pierrot (Caleta roxus pothus), in that the subbasal black band on the underside of the forewing is angled.  However, the Straight Pierrot does not occur in Singapore. The species is often found flying close to the ground and settled at moist spots on the forest floor.  In this photo, the butterfly is feeding on a spot of bird dropping, and refused to fly off, even though it was disturbed - obviously it cared more for the "feast" that it had discovered on the forest path!

Back

Next Species