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Palawan Sun Skink

    Leaves, twigs, and barks that have fallen to the ground make up leaf litter, and it's home to a wide variety of plants and animals. Most of the tiny animals found in the leaf litter are invertebrates. They are important food source for toads, skinks, and other small amphibians and reptiles that rely on the shelter and moisture provided by the leaf litter. One of the many creatures living in the leaf litter habitats of Palawan is the Palawan Sun Skink ( Eutropis sahulinghangganan ), a newly described species of skink endemic to Palawan. The name Eutropis sahulinghangganan derives from the Tagalog "sa huling" or "sa huli ng" (meaning in the last), and "hangganan" (meaning frontier). Palawan Sun Skink     The Palawan Sun Skink inhabits thick coastal forests, mangroves, as well as secondary forests and primary forests up in the mountains. I have seen this skink near the peak of Mount Beaufort at elevations of around 1000 masl, but the population of thi

Five extraordinary hairstreak butterflies in Palawan

Drupadia ravindra ravindrina photo by Jojo De Peralta

Common name: Common Posy 
Scientific name: Drupadia ravindra ravindrina Staudinger 1889

     This species is the most beautiful occurring member of the genus Drupadia in Palawan. Typically found flying year round, both in wide areas with bushes and lowland shaded forest. It commonly settles on foliage at a height of 1 foot to 3 meters with its wings folded upright or slightly apart. This species is not as skittish as most hairstreaks and often easily photographed. The Drupadia ravindra ravindrina can be found only in Palawan and its northern islands (Calamian and Dumaran).

Eooxylides tharis tharisides photo by Jojo De Peralta
Eooxylides tharis tharisides
Common name: Branded Imperial 
Scientific name: Eooxylides tharis tharisides Fruhstorfer, 1904

      This butterfly is certainly one of the most attractive hairstreaks flying in Palawan. It has brilliant orange underside coloration, very distinctive markings, and extraordinarily twisted long tails. This species is usually found in early second growths, forest edges and clearings beside rivers or streams. It tends to skip from leaf to leaf when searching for food, but usually reluctant to move when feeding and easily photographed. The Eooxylides tharis tharisides in the Philippines is confined in Palawan and its southern islands (Balabac islands) where it is uncommon.

Arhopala alitaeus myrtale Photo by Jojo De Peralta
Arhopala alitaeus myrtale
Common name: Purple Broken-banded Oakblue 
Scientific name: Arhopala alitaeus myrtale Staudinger 1889 

     This uncommon fast-flying butterfly is a forest-dependent species. It prefers the shaded understory of tall trees and very rarely seen flying in urban areas. Narrow rivers and streams lined with tall trees on both sides are ideal places when looking for this species. It may be difficult to photograph when it is lurking in shaded areas, as it will take off to the treetops if disturbed or usually when the flash fires. The Arhopala alitaeus myrtale is one of the many eye-catching butterflies that can be found only in Palawan and Calamian, a group of smaller islands in northern Palawan.


Rachana jalindra palawandra photo by Jojo De Peralta
Rachana jalindra palawandra
Common name: Banded Royal 
Scientific name: Rachana jalindra palawandra Staudinger 1889

     A beautiful fast flying species usually found around the edges of second growths and secondary forest. Individuals can sometimes be seen along the side of rivers and mountain streams in the foothills, but rarely in old forests with thick canopies. It is often encountered on the top surfaces of leaves with its wings folded upright. This butterfly is rather skittish and alert to movements. It may be difficult to approach. The Rachana jalindra palawandra is an uncommon butterfly that occurs only in Palawan and the island of Dumaran in northern Palawan.

Araotes lapithis arianus photo by Jojo De Peralta
Araotes lapithis arianus
Common name: Witch 
Scientific name: Araotes lapithis arianus Fruhstorfer 1912

     A witch is popularly depicted as an ugly woman wearing a black cloak, pointed hat and flying on a broomstick. However, there’s nothing ugly about this one. This Witch is elusive, but is one of the most attractive lycaenids in Palawan. Although I saw it a few times in the past years, I only managed to photograph it on one occasion. In Palawan, it seems to be confined in the forest, especially shaded or moist forests and cannot be seen in agricultural and rural areas. In the Philippines, the Araotes lapithis arianus only flies in Palawan where it is uncommon to rare.
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