WETlands
a publication of Sungei Buloh Nature Park
Vol 6 No 1
Apr 99

Butterflies and their food plants

Traditional
Prawn Harvesting

Birdsketching Workshop

Nature Talks
at Sungei Buloh

Insectopia:
Land before time about the insects at Sungei Buloh

Tree
Climbing Crabs
in Singapore Mangroves

Rhinoceros
Beetle

Atlas Moth

Sungei Buloh
5th Anniversary Celebrations

Volunteer Annual General Meeting

Otters in Sight and a Masked Finfoot sighting		  
Insectopia
Land before time
linda goh

They are the creatures that roamed planet Earth long before the dinosaurs. Today, they make up more than half of all the life forms on Earth. In "A Bug's Life", Disney featured them as cutesy little creatures which evoke endearing responses from the audience. In reality, they are predominantly shunned like a plague or pursued to death. Much as people detest or are indifferent to them, insects have crept and spread so successfully into our lives that we will be impeded without them.
It is time these long suffering creatures were brought out of their "armour-plated" shells and be given the due respect they deserve. Brave on with me as I present you intriguing facts from the amazing world of insects that can be found in Sungei Buloh Nature Park.

Mating Damselfly

Mating Atlas Moth
 Population Explosion
Do you know that there is "a ratio of 200 million individual insects to a single human being"? So it is not entirely untrue when Z, the lead character in "Antz", complains about being "a middle child in a family of five million". Considering the fact that some species of termites are capable of laying up to 30,000 eggs in a day, this should come as no surprise at all.

The Mating Game
To ensure continued survival, some of these insects have evolved to beat the odds at their best. One good example is the Cicada. As the male generates shrill calls to attract its likely mate, it is also unwittingly announcing its presence to potential predators. The fact is that it is a ventriloquist, so predators are kept from knowing its precise whereabouts. The female on the other hand, would have no problem locating him at all. This form of advertising is no doubt a much safer mode of courtship. Listen to these sopranos serenading as you enter the Mangrove Boardwalk.

The Hunting Game
However, Mother Nature has her ways to keep the numbers in check. Not only are insects favourites in the diet of some birds and lizards, they are also hunted by some of their own kind. Preying upon the water surface is the Pond Skater that detects its victim by the vibrations it caused. The hunter swiftly seizes its prey before sinking its mouth parts into the body and sucking its juices. Watch out for this piece of action at the Aquatic Plant Pond.

The deadliest danger is, however, airborne. Lurking above you around the freshwater ponds are the "little dragons" of this age. The Dragonfly is a proficient hunter that possesses the largest eyes in the insect kingdom. It has no problem seeing all around it and at all times. This extraordinary asset coupled with its ability to fly 55km per hour, makes the Dragonfly a formidable threat to its victims, like the mosquitoes.
Did you know?
The Cotton Stainers are persecuted by cotton farmers as they stain cotton with a fungus they carry. Although a much detested pest, it is, however, much sought after at the Park. The brightly coloured Cotton Stainer is a real beauty. You can easily find them amid the flower buds of the Sea Hibiscus plant.
Not to be mistaken as a damsel in distress is the dainty Damselfly, which also possesses the same ferocious appetite and abilities of the Dragonfly. To tell them apart, you need only to observe them at rest. While the Damselfly rests its wings parallel to its body, the Dragonfly holds them perpendicular to itself.

Joining the rank of viciousness is the Praying Mantis. Meditating it is not: I can assure you, as the creature lies motionless for hours among twigs and leaves. The ill-fated fly is in for a deadly shock when it gets too close for comfort. The worst act, however, is awarded to the female which is capable of biting off the male's head after the act of procreation.

The Art of Defence
Thus it is evident that insects must develop appropriate defence mechanisms to protect themselves from untimely death. Each insect has its own unique method to do so.

Camouflage is the name of the one of the games they play to mislead their predators. The Leaf Locust is a very good example. One could easily mistake it as a leaf as its name suggests.

The Atlas Moth on the other hand employs its own tactic to safeguard itself. Its wing tips are shaped like the head of a snake to scarce potential predators off. For more about the Atlas Moth (Vol 6 No 1 Apr 99)
Leaf Locust
The Stink Bug puts itself off the menu of birds by discharging a foul-smelling liquid when it knows its life is in jeopardy. The list goes on for this highly developed group of animals.

Did you know? The Weaver Ants make use of the silk produced by their larvae to seal leaves together to form their cosy little home. Beware of raining Weaver Ants, though, as they are capable of giving you nasty bites when provoked. Charming Creatures
There is so much to learn about this group of intriguing creatures that it is easy to keep one spellbound and awed. One could easily spend hours watching them go about their daily doings. All it takes is a little patience and an eye for the small details.

The next time you drop by the Park, do remember to look out for these creepy crawlies.
   
© Sungei Buloh Nature Park