Ringed Xenica (Geitoneura acantha)
Black Hill CP, Adelaide Hills, South Australia
More of an eastern species, and generally less common than its cousin G.klugii, the Ringed Xenica is aptly-named with its boldly-ringed eyespots on the upperside of the hindwings. The Mount Lofty Ranges population in South Australia is disjunct western outlier, with the main area of distribution hundreds of kilometres away in western Victoria.
Marbled Xenica (Geitoneura klugii)
Para Wirra RP, Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia
A common and easily-identified species of sunny woodland, the Marbled Xenica is the most widespread member of its genus in Australia. It occurs as a pale form and a dark form, with the dark form (pictured here) being the one found in damper habitats. The pale form occurs in semi-arid areas of SA and WA.
Silver Xenica (Oreixenica lathoniella)
Text coming soon!
Meadow Argus (Junonia villida)
South Para River, Adelaide Hill, South Australia
One of Australia's most widespread butterflies, the Meadow Argus is present across the country apart from the western half of Tasmania, and is as equally at home in the Wet Tropics as in the arid interior.
The two prominent orange-ringed eyespots on males (this specimen has one bitten off!) separate this from other Junonia species (none of which occur in southern Australia).
The two prominent orange-ringed eyespots on males (this specimen has one bitten off!) separate this from other Junonia species (none of which occur in southern Australia).
Yellow Admiral (Vanessa itea)
Morialta CP, Adelaide Hills, South Australia
This large and beautifully-marked species can be seen on the wing in any month of the year - in fact it was the first butterfly I saw (in late winter) during my time in SA.
Primarily a butterfly of reliably damp habitats in the south-eastern states, it can also be seen in curiously disjunct areas such as the Shark Bay area in WA, around Alice Springs in NT and the Cairns area in far northern Qld.
Primarily a butterfly of reliably damp habitats in the south-eastern states, it can also be seen in curiously disjunct areas such as the Shark Bay area in WA, around Alice Springs in NT and the Cairns area in far northern Qld.
Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
Morialta CP, Adelaide Hills, South Australia
This world-famous migratory species needs little introduction. The Australian populations are introduced, and like their kin in North America, they are strongly migratory, dispersing in wamer months from their winter roosting sites. The Mount Lofty Ranges is one of these, where the cool, moist eucalypt woodland mimics their Mexican forest hibernation habitat.
Varied Dusky-blue (Candalides hyacinthina ssp.simplexa)
Monarto CP, South Australia
This beautiful iridescent species is found across southern Australia in suitable woodland and heathland habitat, although it is absent from Tasmania. The large, clearly-marked spots on the underside of the forewings and lack of hindwing blotches distinguish this from the Blotched Dusky-blue. The similar Twin Dusky-blue does not occur in SA or Vic.
Ssp. simplexa is the most widespread of the three subspecies and the most colourful. Ssp.gilesii is restricted to the south-western tip of Western Australia and ssp.hyacinthina is found from far south-eastern SA around the east coast as far north as the lower Cape York Peninsula.
Ssp. simplexa is the most widespread of the three subspecies and the most colourful. Ssp.gilesii is restricted to the south-western tip of Western Australia and ssp.hyacinthina is found from far south-eastern SA around the east coast as far north as the lower Cape York Peninsula.
Blotched Dusky-blue (Candalides acasta)
Aldinga Scrub CP, South Australia
A widespread species of dry heathland in southern Australia, the Blotched Dusky-blue is named for diffuse brown blotch on the underside of hindwings, although these are not obvious from these two terrible photos!
Saltbush Blue (Theclinesthes serpentata)
Monarto CP, South Australia
The Theclinesthes spp. have small 'tails' on their hindwings and banded brown and white underwings. The Saltbush Blue is the second-most widespread of the six species in Australia after the Wattle Blue (T.miskini). It is distinguished by the extensive white patches and single spot on the underside of the hindwings.
Australian Painted Lady
Black Hill CP, South Australia
Text coming soon!