Almost half of native butterfly species have disappeared from Singapore over past 160 years

Of the 236 butterfly species thought to be locally extinct, 132 are known species, like the green dragontail (above). PHOTO: GAN CHEONG WEEI
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SINGAPORE - Almost half of Singapore's butterfly species have disappeared from the island over the past 160 years, with the loss of specific plants and deforestation being key drivers of the local extinctions.

Of the 236 butterfly species thought to be locally extinct, 132 are known species, such as the green dragontail and chocolate tiger butterflies. There are 413 native species of butterflies recorded in Singapore.

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