Random Butterfly Gallery
The Purple Duke (Eulaceura osteria kumana)
The Purple Duke is a sexually-dimorphic species with the male and female appearing different from each other. Both sexes are skittish and fast-flying and have the habit of flying quickly to the underside of a leaf to hide when alarmed. The brown upperside of the female is reminiscent of the Tanaecia and Euthalia species which share the forested nature reserves with the Purple Duke.
In this shot, taken by ButterflyCircle member Chng CK last weekend, the female Purple Duke adopts a rather interesting pose with her proboscis extended almost horizontally to reach the juices of the ripened fruit of the Singapore Rhododendron.
