Guess what was this tiny saucer-like creature found on the surface of a leaf? The first possible creature that came to my mind was Tortoise Beetle. It was not a beetle because it did not move away when I touch it. Also, it was rather flat. The next suspect would be a scale insect although the size was considered rather large for a scale insect. After making some checks, it turned out to be a scale insect, Paralecanium sp. (Family: Coccidae). The host plant was Freshwater Mangrove (Carallia brachiata).

Two other interesting discoveries were the tubular fruit of the Ant Plant (Dischidia major) as well as the flower of the mangrove tree, Barak Laut (Cassine viburnifolia). Ant Plant is a common semi-parasitic climber at the Reserve but Barak Laut is considered a rare tree in Singapore even in mangrove area.

On one of the leaf of the Ant Plant, there was a small plant growing on it. It might be a young parasitic plant.

Next was my favourite spider, the Ant Mimicking Crab Spider (Amyciaea lineatipes). Two of them were spotted on the Buffalo Grass (Megathyrsus maximus) by the side of the track. One had caught a Weaver Ant (Oecophylla smaragdina). In fact, the spider looks like a Weaver Ant. This resemblance enables it to remain undetected by the ant while it waits for the opportunity to catch its prey. There was an article on such mimicry phenomenon published in the Nature in Singapore journal.

It is probably going to be many months later before I come by the place again. The main reason is the likelihood of finding new plants in this area is lower when compared to the forests. Hopefully, the construction work around the area would be completed soon and I will be able to explore the new facility at the Kranji Trail area in my next trip here.