17 April 2013

Random Gallery - Yellow Flash

Random Butterfly Gallery
The Yellow Flash (Rapala domitia domitia)



The Yellow Flash often lives up to its name whenever it is encountered in the field. It is a zippy little butterfly that flashes very quickly away and is gone in the blink of an eye if it chooses to be uncooperative. As with many other species, the odds of getting a better shot of it will improve when it is distracted whilst feeding. It is the most elusive of all the Flashes (Rapala) species currently known in Singapore.

This skittish individual was shot by ButterflyCircle member Sunny Chir after it was feeding happily on the flowers of a blooming Syzygium tree in the nature reserves. The distinctive yellow undersides and jet black markings on the forewings make this the most easily identifiable Rapala amongst the many lookalikes in the genus.