6024. The Common Sailor and the Short-banded Sailor

 

 

 

SINGAPORE - 8 MAY 2026: 10.14am. Lentor Loop Park.  The Short-banded sailor (Neptis columella) is a species of nymphalid butterfly  found in South and Southeast Asia.

Canon R5, 300mm, 1/500 sec,f/5.6, iso 500. Handheld. TV mode, high up in a tree fluttering.

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 This species bears a close resemblance to the Common Sailor (Neptis hylas papaja), and two can only be distinguished with a closer scrutiny of the white markings on the wings. Generally, the Short Banded Sailor is larger than a typical Common Sailor.

 Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:
Above, this species resembles various Neptis species in having similar white markings against dark brown to black background. On the forewing, the white cell streak is narrow and short, and the spot in space 1a elongated. On the hindwing, the broad discal band does not reach the costa. In the male, vein 8 of the hindwing ends on the termen just below the apex (in contrast, this vein ends on the costa for Neptis species). The speculum on the hindwing upperside is prominent. Underneath, the white markings are set against yellowish brown background.

 

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Common sailor (Neptis hylas)  

Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:
On both wings the cells are open, and vein 8 on the hindwing ends on the costa. Above, the wings are dark brown to black in ground colour and feature the usual white markings for Sailor species. A distinguishing feature is that post-discal spots in spaces 2 and 3 of the forewing are in echelon and are directed to the termen. There is no whitish ring on the abdomen. Underneath, the wings are rich golden ochreous in ground color, and nearly all white markings prominently outlined with black borders.

 

 Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:
On both wings the cells are open, and vein 8 on the hindwing ends on the costa. Above, the wings are dark brown to black in ground colour and feature the usual white markings for Sailor species. A distinguishing feature is that post-discal spots in spaces 2 and 3 of the forewing are in echelon and are directed to the termen. There is no whitish ring on the abdomen. Underneath, the wings are rich golden ochreous in ground color, and nearly all white markings prominently outlined with black borders.