Day Trip Adventure: Singapore to Malaysia Panti Forest

🚗 24 Jul 2024. Departed from Singapore at the crack of dawn, 4:30 AM, filled with excitement for the day ahead. By 7:00 AM, we reached the lush Panti Forest in Malaysia, ready to explore!

    We spent 4 hours immersed in the dense forest, bush hunting for fascinating insects. Every step was an adventure (to avoid to step into any ant nest), with the morning mist adding a magical touch to the surroundings.

    During this day trip, we were thrilled to discover not one, but two stunning Marmessoidea rosea stick insects! Spotting these elusive creatures in their natural habitat was a highlight of our trip. I believe that the untouched, less human-impacted Panti Forest still harbors rich biodiversity and hidden wonders. 

    In the above photo, you can see the stick insect perfectly camouflaged against a leaf, showcasing its vibrant green and subtle red hues. The photo below captures another stick insect, highlighting its slender, twig-like appearance against a dark background.

    The Marmessoidea rosea, also known as the Rose Stick Insect, is an incredible species known for its remarkable camouflage abilities. These insects blend seamlessly with their surroundings, mimicking twigs and leaves to evade predators. Their elongated bodies and delicate limbs make them masters of disguise in the dense forest foliage.

    Another great find during the trip was three stunning Gasteracantha spiders: two females and one male. Male spiny orb-weavers are typically smaller and less colorful than females, often with less pronounced spines.  Male spiny orb-weavers are typically smaller and less colorful than females, often with less pronounced spines. These female spiny orb-weavers also exist in Singapore's forest areas. With their vibrant red and black colors and elongated horns, these unique spiders are striking examples of nature's artistry.

   We also found the same species of Gasteracantha spiders in a white appearance. (image above). Male spiny orb-weaver (image below)

"Species of the genus are known as spiny-backed orb-weavers, spiny orb-weavers, or spiny spiders. The females of most species are brightly colored with six prominent spines on their broad, hardened, shell-like abdomens. The name Gasteracantha is derived from the Greek gaster (γαστήρ), meaning "belly, abdomen", and akantha (άκανθα), meaning "thorn, spine". Spiny-backed orb-weavers are sometimes colloquially called "crab spiders" because of their shape, but they are not closely related to the true crab spiders. Other colloquial names for certain species include thorn spider,star spider, kite spider, or jewel spider."-wikipedia

    Besides the highlight of finding spiny orb-weaver spiders and stick insects, we also discovered a striking planthopper, a daddy longlegs guarding an egg sac, a fungus beetle, a white striped lynx spider, and a lynx spider with prey, some moths, some common insects which can be spotted in Singapore too, and wild orchid plants.

 

    

    A beautiful  Striped Lynx Spider! I know adult specimens have some color variation between orange, cream, and brown. This is my first time seeing a cream white lynx. With its spiky legs and distinctive stripes, this agile hunter is another fascinating find in Panti Forest. 

 

Wild Orchid

Black-kneed Meadow Katydid

🍲🥢 After our thrilling forest exploration, we headed to Kota Tinggi for a well-deserved lunch at the famous Kiang Kee Bak Kut Teh. Enjoyed a delicious bowl of Bak Kut Teh that hit the spot perfectly!

🚗💨 With our hearts full and cameras packed with memories, we made our way back to Singapore. It was an unforgettable day filled with nature, adventure, and great food. Can’t wait for the next trip!