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Luminary Oddities · Natural history & art
Parthenos sylvia
Lepidoptera / Nymphalidae
Parthenos sylvia, the Clipper, has broad wings crossed by pale bands and contrasting forewing patches. Regional studies describe its gliding flight, fruit and sap feeding, and larval use of climbing plants.
Read the species account
Historical treatments record Parthenos sylvia across South and Southeast Asia to New Guinea, with several regional forms. [6]
A 2013 Singapore account discussed earlier forest records, apparent absence from the wild and an airport aviary population. The Singapore Red Data Book changed the assessment of lilacinus from Nationally Extinct in its second edition to Data Deficient in its third. These records concern Singapore. [2][4]
A 2009 study in Yunnan recorded eggs laid singly, five larval instars, six generations in a year and adults overwintering. These observations describe the population studied in southern China. [7]
Singapore observations describe powerful flight interspersed with gliding, and adults resting with their wings open. The broad wings and contrasting bands are especially conspicuous during these glides. [2]
Cramer originally described the species in Papilio. Historical treatments also used Minetra and Kallima before its placement in Parthenos. These combinations provide access to older descriptions and distribution records. [6]
Singapore’s third national Red Data Book assesses the subspecies lilacinus as Data Deficient. The assessment applies to its national population. [4]
Dorsal views show the upper-wing bands and white forewing patches; ventral views show their paler underside counterparts. Equivalent surfaces and similar viewing angles provide the most reliable comparisons between regional forms.
Bold contours and simplified colour retain the documented wing outline and marking arrangement. The illustration emphasizes the contrast between the broad coloured fields and darker bands.
Display framed work away from direct sunlight, persistent damp and strong heat. Handle the enclosure and follow the maker’s instructions for exterior cleaning.
Florida Museum of Natural History · Accessed 2026-10-09
ButterflyCircle, 2013 · Accessed 2026-10-09
Nitin et al., Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2018 · Accessed 2026-10-09
NParks Singapore · Accessed 2026-10-09
Chicago Botanic Garden · Accessed 2026-10-09
Markku Savela / Finnish University and Research Network · Accessed 2026-10-09
Zhou et al., 2009 · Accessed 2026-10-09
ICAR National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources · Accessed 2026-10-09
Sources checked 2026-10-11. Illustrations · Luminary Oddities.
Return to the Entomological Atlas ↑Canadian Conservation Institute · Accessed 2026-10-09
