Known as Idea Lynceus, this species which is also known as the Malaysian tree-nymph has a unique golden chrysalis and resembles a floating tissue paper when it flies as it is said to be the lightest butterfly in the world.
Unfortunately, the butterfly that is characterised by its translucent white wings patterned with black veins, and numerous oval black spots faces the risk of extinction as the 16-year research on the rare species conducted at the Melaka Butterfly and Reptile Sanctuary in Ayer Keroh here may not continue due to lack of funds.
Manager of the sanctuary, Qurratu A’in Rohaminordin, said they will not be able to breed the species following a loss of income after being severely affected by the implementation of the movement control order (MCO).
“On Feb 1, we released 10 of the 20 Idea Lynceus butterflies that are close to death due to their short lifespan,” she told Bernama.
She said the sanctuary is the only conservatory in the world that has taken the initiative to carry out the breeding programme for the Malaysian butterfly species that can occasionally be found in Indonesia and Thailand.
Qurratu A’in said through the research, the sanctuary’s level of understanding about the species including its gender and host tree had reached 90%.
“However, with fewer visitors since MCO, which has also resulted in a drop in ticket sales, it is indeed difficult for the sanctuary to continue its operation as it is owned by the private sector,” she said.
Qurratu A’in said the adoption programme offered by the sanctuary was also affected because members of the public could no longer afford to pay, forcing the centre to be frugal in its expenses.
The adoption programme offers interested parties the chance to own the butterfly chrysalis and witness the amazing process of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly.
“We are calling for support from any party to help this sanctuary to tide over the financial slump brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and save Idea Lynceus from extinction,” she said.
Qurratu A’in said during the first MCO last year, the sanctuary received food supply aid from the Department of Wildlife Protection and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia (Perhilitan) as well as a subsidy from the government’s Wage Subsidy Programme.
She said the sanctuary had been operating on a minimal basis since the reinforcement of the MCO on Jan 13 to save costs, forcing them to dispose of about 3,000 caterpillars of various species, including the Idea Lynceus, last year.
According to her, the research on Idea Lynceus, which has been placed under the Wildlife Protection Act 2010, started in 2005 and in November 2011 the sanctuary announced its success in breeding the tree nymph.
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