More than two-thirds of Malaysia is covered in vegetation. More than 1,032 species of butterflies live within the lowland diptercarp and hill forests, presenting limitless opportunities for the delightful pastime of butterfly-watching. The butterfly represents tranquility, grace and freedom. Unfortunately, they are extremely sensitive to the environment and extremely short-lived, only an average of two weeks. Seeing these living works of art is a wonderful experience to be treasured.
Malaysian butterflies can be roughly divided into highland and lowland species, although some can be found at all elevations. The Clipper (Parthenos Sylvia), for example, is a lowland species frequently found at the edge of rainforest and scrub areas. On the other hand, the Malayan lacewing (Cerhosia Hypsea) lives both in lowlands and in mountainous areas. The Raja Brooke Birdwing is the most famous of the Malaysian butterflies. It was discovered in 1885 by AR Wallace and was named after the first Rajah of Sarawak.
The amateur who is immersed in the observation of butterflies for the first time must first observe the behavior of tropical butterflies. A large number of butterflies are seasonal, often coming with moderately wet weather after a dry spell and an abundance of new flowers and leaves. In general, they prefer a cool, moist, leafy habitat. Butterflies’ hot spots are flowers, hilltops, mud puddles, and caterpillars’ food plants. The flowers often attract butterflies for the nectar they produce. Sometimes a plant or tree that is in full bloom will have swarms of butterflies feeding on its nectar. Many species are also attracted to rotting fruit and animal urine. Certain areas attract certain species. For example, the majestic Raja Brooke Birdwing often hovers near riverbanks, while Blue Crow and Banded Yeoman are fond of clearings and forest edges. Although many butterflies start looking for food early in the morning, they are most active between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm It is recommended to wear muted colored clothing and arm yourself with binoculars.
Three popular tourist spots where highland butterflies can be seen are Fraser’s Hill, Cameron Highlands, and Bukit Larut in Perak. Although Fraser’s Hill (1,524m) and Cameron Highlands (1,462m to 1,755m) are in Pahang, both are accessible from Kuala Lumpur. Bukit Larut (1,054 m) is just 7 km from Taiping in Perak and is part of the Bukit Larut Forest Reserve. Recommended areas in the lowlands for butterfly viewing include the Pantai Aceh Forest Reserve on Penang Island; the Paya Indah Wetlands Sanctuary in Putrajaya; Templer’s Park and Kanching Forest Reserve in Kuala Lumpur and Air Keroh Forest Reserve on the northern fringe of Melaka city. All of these areas can be visited in a day trip.
At Fraser’s Hill, the WWF-sponsored Nature Education Center at the sports complex distributes maps showing the nature trails around its seven mounds. For butterfly viewing, the Mager Trail is the most rewarding, and the area around Jeriau Falls is also teeming with colorful fluttering creatures. At Tanah Rata in the Cameron Highlands, visitors can pick up maps from the Cameron Museum and Information Center. Choose those trails that wind past waterfalls and streams. Parit Fall and Robinson Falls are also hot spots for butterflies. Bukit Larut is in the wettest region of the country, with most of the forest trails near its top.
Visitors who don’t want to trek through the jungle can visit one of the country’s five butterfly farms: Penang Butterfly Farm, Kuala Lumpur Butterfly Farm, Cameron Highland Butterfly Farm, Melaka Butterfly Park and the Poring Butterfly Farm in Sabah.
Opened in 1986, Penang Butterfly is the world’s first butterfly sanctuary. It is located in Teluk Bahang, about 17 km from Georgetown, and occupies a 0.8 hectare site. Double doors lead into a 41m x 42m enclosure that houses a landscaped garden with gargling streams, koi ponds and picturesque curving bridges. Dripping foliage from and within the net enclosure, more than 4,000 Malayan butterflies representing 120 species flutter at your fingertips. There are also stations along the winding paths that provide information on the various stages of the butterfly’s life cycle, from egg to caterpillar to pupa.
Secondary attractions are the scorpion pit and the snake house. There is also a tank with aquatic insects such as water scorpions. These creatures breathe through their tails. The reptile station displays various species of giant-sized geckos and lizards from South America and Africa. Look out for the spiny stick insect, walking stick insect, and moving leaf insect in other display cases. The Insect Museum is packed with more than 2,000 specimens, including 600 species of butterflies and moths, 800 species of beetles, and other creepy crawlies.
The Poring Butterfly Farm is located in the Poring settlement, 40 km southwest of the Kinabalu Park headquarters. The farm is divided into four zones; namely; mesh enclosure, exhibition gallery, food plant nursery and nursery. The tangled enclosure is 25 square meters and six meters high, and is home to more than 500 butterflies of various species. Preserved specimens and photographs are exhibited in the exhibition hall. Information panels present interesting facts about the butterfly’s distribution and behavioral characteristics such as mimicry and coloration.
Kuala Lumpur’s butterfly farm is modeled after the one in Penang, and is located within the lush gardens of the lake. The Cameron Highlands Butterfly Farm is perched on a plateau about 5km from Kea Farm in Brinchang. Melaka Butterlfy Park is located in Ayer Keroh and also includes a marine center. . There is also a small butterfly park within the extensive grounds of the Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Agricultural Park, which is located 5 km from Bandar Indera Mahkota, near Kuantan.
Are you facing purchasing a preserved Raja Brooke Birdwing or Banded Yeoman mounted in a decorative display case as a souvenir? Visit Butterfly at Batu Caves Light Industrial Estate in Batu Caves, just 10 km north of Kuala Lumpur. This is probably the only company in the country that makes all kinds of collectibles using the butterfly. There are plastic paperweights, pencil holders and keyrings with preserved butterflies embedded inside. In addition to butterflies, there are also scorpions, rhinoceros beetles, and stick insects mounted on display cases; They are a good conversation piece in the living room or study.
