The Plane Bindahara phocides phocides(Fabricius 1793) The Plane (Bindahara phocides phocides) resting on a leaf in the shady understorey of a forested area of the nature reserves in Singapore.

Scientific Data and Other Important Notes Family : Lycaenidae SubFamily : Genus : Bindahara (Moore 1881) Common Name : The Plane  Wingspan: 30mm   Host Plant:  The caterpillar of this species is believed to feed on the seeds within the fruits of Salacia chinensis, Salacia disepala and Celastrus subspicata. Similar species: None   Status in Singapore: Rare and local in distribution. Habitat : Usually found in shady forested areas within the nature reserves

Description :  Above, the male of the Plane is deep blackish brown with the apical area more ferruginous.  The female is reddish brown with a large black spot in space 2 of the whitened tornal area of the hindwing.  The underside features post discal bands on the forewings and four blackish subbasal spots.  The ground colour of the males are brownish buff, whilst the females have whitish hindwings.  The male has a pair of long yellowish tails whilst that of the female is white. 

Habitat & habits :This species has most often been seen in the shady under storey of thick vegetated areas within the nature reserves.  It appears to prefer shady areas and flits from leaf to leaf, and often heads up towards the tree canopy where it is believed to spend more of its time.  Its flight is reminiscent of the tailed Lycaenids like the Common Imperial and is able to fly quite quickly. 

Other Observations :  The butterfly appears to be more often than not, disturbed by the camera's flash and it flies off the moment it senses the flash.  Males are more often observed than the females so far, and we have spotted a female of this species in the wild only once. 

Early Stages :
  FURTHER READING AND WEB RESOURCES

• Herbison-Evans, Don & Crossley, Stella : "Australian Caterpillars Website", Scientific details of the Life History of Bindahara phocides

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