Under the dim glow of our torches and flashes, the forest floor of Ubin transformed into a treasure trove of life—vivid, strange, and often unseen. This June night macro outing revealed nature's delicate drama in its most vulnerable and beautiful state: freshly molted creatures, neon glows, and predator-prey tension frozen in frame.
From the shimmering hues of a tiger beetle to the eerie elegance of the Green Baron caterpillar under UV light, each subject told a story of survival and transformation. Among the standout encounters:
Spotted this impressive Mango Longhorn Beetle (Batocera rubus), I believe it is a newly emerged Longhorn Beetle, still soft and shimmering.
With its signature yellow spots and powerful antennae, this gentle giant blends in so well with tree bark you might miss it — unless you're looking closely! 
A Lobster Moth caterpillar flaunting its bizarre form.
A jewel bug with iridescent armor.
I was happy to see again: A freshly molted Rusicada combinans – The Yellow-banded Semi-looper Moth. It is named after the looping movement of its caterpillar stage. With zigzag wing patterns and a warm rusty glow, it blends beautifully into the forest floor — a quiet but eye-catching resident of the night.
This is a Biston pustulata, a large geometer moth known for its beautifully mottled, bark-like wing pattern that provides excellent camouflage against tree trunks. Its intricate mix of grey, black, and brown markings resembles lichen or moss patches—an effective disguise for nocturnal survival. Commonly found in Southeast Asian forests, I was delighted to spot one at Ubin. The species rests with its wings flat and spread wide, making it a perfect subject for macro photography.
This striking spider is a Lynx Spider from the genus Oxyopes, easily recognized by its long spiny legs and sharp hunting posture. Unlike web-building spiders, lynx spiders are agile hunters that rely on speed and vision to ambush prey. The bright orange cephalothorax and distinctive eye pattern make this species particularly photogenic. Almost every outing I will see one lynx—they're common but always captivating. This one was found resting on a leaf, perfectly posed for a close-up.
A bark-textured Eriovixia orb-weaver
A tiny jumper caught our eye—gleaming with metallic hues and bright yellow pedipalps. These salticids (jumping spiders) are not just colorful but full of personality, often tilting their heads to observe us in return. It's always a delight to capture their curious expressions from different angles.
Their incredible camouflage and elegant posture made them look like part of the twigs themselves. At first glance, we nearly overlooked them—they blended in so perfectly with the twigs around them. These three shots capture the same pair of stick insects from different angles. We were lucky to catch the female in the process of laying an egg, with the male closely guarding her. Moments like this are what make night macro outings so rewarding.
Dragonflies are typically very active in the day, but this one high up on a tree branch, was unusually quiet and still—offering a rare moment of calm during our macro night walk.
A bark mantis, another wonderful find during this night macro session...
A fuzzy caterpillar stood out against the dark green leaf. With its fine, hair-like bristles and dual tail tufts, it looks delicate but could be equipped with irritant hairs for defense. A gentle reminder: always admire, never touch!
And just when we thought the night couldn’t get more magical, the Green Baron caterpillar appeared under UV light—glowing like a living jewel in the dark. Its vibrant blue-green fluorescence and bristly spines looked almost otherworldly, a true hidden gem of the forest. Moments like this remind me why I keep coming back to the night trails—there’s always a surprise waiting, especially for those who take the time to look closely.
NPSS Night Macro Photography at Pulau Ubin
📅 2025, 14 June 7pm to 15 June 12am
📅 2025, 14 June 7pm to 15 June 12am
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