110219 Bukit Timah Summit Trail

Hitched a free ride to Bukit Timah. Went to try my luck looking for colugo but was there at the wrong time of the day and didn't see any. They usually appear in the evening according to the Nparks Officer there. He said they can however turn up at all times of the day although they rarely do so. Sometimes they can appear very near places that are busy with people like the visitor station but they are more commonly seen along the summit trail and Hindhede park.

Saw most of these creatures at the Kruing hut area.




Ginormous flaming white Fulgoroidea nymph (Flatidae?), about 2 cm long including the wax.




Argiope spider with a large stabilimenta cross.


There were a couple of these psechrid spiders in their webs just above the leaf litter floor. Very sensitive to approach, they dart rapidly into their hiding spot when spooked. They have a few safety levels when hiding, probably depending on the level of the perceived threat, sometimes they only run halfway, sometimes they run deep into hiding. Interestingly, they do not turn around when they feel it is safe enough to emerge, they simply reverse out as rapidly as they run into hiding.


A closer look at the characteristic white line down the middle of the underside of the abdomen that distinguishes Psechrus from Fecenia.


Uloborid spider, the only spider family with no venom. The calamistrum can be seen as the small curved purplish bit on the rear leg.


Leg hairs, not sure what they are or if they have any significance at all.




A couple of orb weavers.


Beetle. Looks like a leaf beetle (Chrysomelidae) but cannot see the tarsal formula to confirm.


Phasmid (Carausius sp.?).


Caterpillar.




Strange flowerFlower of the passion fruit (Passiflora laurifolia), ID by Ron.




Bukit Timah is highly popular with visitors; the main paths are properly paved and the carpark is usually jammed with vehicles during peak hours.