Anthene emolus goberus or commonly known as Ciliate Blue, is a tiny, inconspicuous and fascinating species. The life history of the species is rather unique, with the caterpillar being dependent on the Weaver Ant or Kerangga (Oecophylla smaragdina) for survival. The males’ wings of this species, on the upper surface of the wings, are a lustrous deep purple or indigo blue colour whilst the females’ wings of this species are usually a dull earthy brown colour. The wingspan is about 23 to 29 mm.
This tiny butterfly breeds in disturbed primary and secondary forest habitats at altitudes between sea level and about 800 meters. It is normally found along roadsides and riverbanks, and is often found close to habitations.
Males are mostly seen when aggregating with other Lycaenidae to soak up mineralised moisture from river sandbanks, damp roads, boulder and other sources of sodium. When feeding they will often hold their wings erect, but in cloudy or cool weather they will bask on foliage with their wings held half open. Females are less conspicuous but in some cases, they can be found nectaring at Lantana or other flowering bushes.
This small butterfly is attracted to human sweat. It can be seen perching on host plants such as Senna fistula or golden showers tree and commonly found in most areas of Royal Belum-Temengor Rainforest. This species is widely distributed in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Sumatra, Borneo and Hainan.
Collection Center | Dried | Live | Slide | Wet | Total | |
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8 |
Profile | |
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Ahmad Firdaus Mohd Salleh (Mr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
|
Insects,
Medical, Entomology & Parasitology
|
Aishah Hani Azil (Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
|
Insects, Mosquitoes,
Biodiversity, Medical & Science
|
Amal Ghazali Nasron (Mr.)
Department of Wildlife and National Parks (PERHILITAN)
|
Mammals, Insects,
Biodiversity, Conservation & Forest
|
Azidah Abdul Aziz (Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
|
Insects (Taxonomy),
Biodiversity
|
Insects,
|
|
Bakhtiar Effendi Yahya (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
|
Insects (Taxonomy),
Taxonomy
|
Chey Vun Khen (Dr.)
Sabah Forestry Department
|
Insects,
|
Insects,
|
|
Fatimah Abang (Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
|
Insects, Butterflies and Moths,
Biodiversity & Marine & Coastal
|
Heo Chong Chin (Dr.)
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
|
Insects,
Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Medical & Science
|
Idris Bin Abd. Ghani (Prof.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
|
Insects,
|
Khaironizam Md Zain (Dr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
|
Fishes, Insects,
Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystems & Science
|
Liew Thor Seng (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
|
Insects, Molluscs,
Biodiversity, Data Analysis, Conservation, Ecosystems, Evolution & Genetics
|
Maryati Mohamed (Prof. Datin Dr.)
Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM)
|
Insects,
Biodiversity & Conservation
|
Mohd Sofian Azirun (Prof. Dato' Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
|
Insects (Ecology),
Biodiversity & Science
|
Nada Badruddin (Dr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Insects (Ecology),
Protected Areas
|
Ng Yong Foo (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
|
Insects,
Invasive Alien Species
|
Nivaarani Arumugam (Ms.)
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)
|
Insects,
Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystems & Forest
|
Noor Azrizal Bin Abdul Wahid (Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
|
Insects,
Molecular, Systematics, Evolution, Parasitology & Entomology
|
Norela Sulaiman (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
|
Insects (Taxonomy),
|
Nur Zati Akma Mustafa (Mrs.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Insects (Ecology),
|
Nurul Ashikin Abdullah (Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
|
Insects, Ants,
Biodiversity
|
Ong Su Ping (Ms.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Insects (Ecology),
|
Phon Chooi Khim (Dr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Insects (Ecology),
|
Raja Muhammad Zuha (Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
|
Insects,
Biodiversity, Education, Taxonomy, Science & Law and Policy
|
Rosli Hashim (Prof. Dr.)
University of Malaya (UM)
|
Birds (Ecology), Mammals (Ecology), Spiders, Insects,
Biodiversity & Protected Areas
|
Insects,
|
|
Shawn Cheng (Dr.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Insects,
|
Suhaila Abd Hamid (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
|
Insects, Insects (Taxonomy), Insects (Ecology),
Biodiversity, Conservation, Ecosystems & Water
|
Sze Huei Yek (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
|
Ants, Insects, Mosquitoes,
Biodiversity, Ecology, Entomology & Evolution
|
Tan Li Peng (Dr.)
Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK)
|
Arachnids, Insects,
Agriculture, Biodiversity & Forest
|
Veronica Khoo Swee Imm (Ms.)
Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
|
Insects (Taxonomy),
|
Wahizatul Afzan Azmi (Assoc. Prof.)
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
|
Insects (Ecology),
Biodiversity
|
Wee Suk Ling (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
|
Insects (Ecology),
|
Acknowledgements :- Ms. Aida Salihah Binti Abu Bakar, Mr. Badrul Amin Bin Jaffar, Ms. Norazah Binti Norddin, Ms. Nurfadzilah Bt Azmi, Ms. Siti Zubaidah Binti Abdul Latif, Mr. Tan Kok Kiat, Ms. Wan Nurul ‘ain Binti Wan Mohd Nor & Mr. Yasser Mohamed Arifin
Photo credit :- USM
Species Citation :- Anthene emolus. Malaysia Biodiversity Information System (MyBIS). Accessed via https://www.mybis.gov.my/sp/58312. [Retrieved 01 October 2023].
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