This butterfly on first glance looks similar to the Drupadia ravindra moorei (Common Posy) and Drupadia theda thesmia (Dark Posy). However it is much smaller than the the two , and there are differentiating markings and color under close scrutiny to identify it as the Drupadia rufotaenia rufotaenia (Pygmy Posy).
It is a tree top butterfly and spend most its time at canopy level, hence not surprising that it is rarely encountered, it's close resemblance to its 2 cousins also likely for the untrained eyes to pass it off as just another common posy.
First recorded 1999 in the Central Catchment Area (CCA) and not seen again till 6 years later when Mr Chan Soon Chye shot a specimen at the western edge of the CCA in March 2005.
In May 2006 Mr Richard Ong shot a suspect at Bukit Batok Nature Park (BBNP) and again in June 06 shot a pristine specimen , and subsequently its ID was confirmed as Drupadia rufotaenia rufotaenia (Pygmy Posy) .
The recent encounter was by Mr Khew SK at CCA in early Aug 07 , and from field shots taken it appears that there are a few of them around.
From these records and over a span of 8 years ,it can be safely say that this recent addition to the Singapore Butterfly Checklist is indeed doing well.
