butterflyspot

SWAMP TIGER BUTTERFLY Maaroom on the Fraser Coast was a good butterfly spot for the SWAMP TIGER BUTTERFLY Danaus affinis; unfortunately it seams the host plant CYNANCHUM CARNOSUM has been partially cleared. The site is now badly infested with Asparagus fern . A weedy plant that was once used by florist for Wedding 'buttonholes'    I saw  HELEN SCHWENKE at the WOODFORD FOLK Festival site where she has been actively involved in habitat enrichment for some years including a labelled butterfly walk. Helen told me that by planting the larval host plant in her garden in West End Brisbane she attracted the SWAMP TIGER BUTTERFLY. This was good to hear as I had previously thought it needed to breed in the littoral zones. I am going to check the Sunshine Coast sites near Caloundra see below. GOLDEN BEACH CALOUNDRA GOLDEN BEACH I have found many more vines among the mangroves. Before reaching the last amenities; healthy vigorous plants but no sign of Larvae. No a...

BARADINE -GATEWAY TO THE PILLIGA MUGGA IRONBARK ( white flowers) flowering beside the ANGLICAN CHURCH in Lachlan street BARADINE  also a pink flowered tree behind the vicarage. MUGGA is an important habitat tree in the PILLIGA SCRUB. The endangered REGENT HONEYEATER depends on this type  of tree - mostly Eucalyptus species as it feeds on nectar and LERP which occur on the leaves. I was lucky enough to see three birds  some time ago @ SWINDLE WELL CROSSING in the PILLIGA, Another good area for these birds is the CAPERTEE VALLEY NSW     BARDEE GRUB empty pupal cases under the tree. Adult moth was photographed earlier @ BINNAWAY on the CASTLEREAGH RIVER.

CHEQUERED SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY    CHEQUERED SWALLOWTAIL this beautiful butterfly was breeding in the WESTERN PILLIGA one season  The site became too dry for the Larval Host Plants to survive. Seeds were planted  at the  COONABARABRAN BUTTERFLY WALK and are thriving,. Host plant  Cullen tenax  -below also the larval plant for 3 small "blues"  

DAINTY SWALLOWTAIL caterpillars raised 3 pupated - one has emerged @ the COONABARABRAN BUTTERFLY WALK during this month.

SCARLET JEZABEL flying today at the COONABARABRAN BUTTERFLY WALK

Alphitonia excelsa RED ASH; SOAPY ASH  YARRIGAN NP in the PILLIGA region Host plant for many MOTHS & BUTTERFLIES

SMALL GRASS YELLOW ( Eurema smilax)   Picture taken YARRIGAN NP  Saw one flying this week. Have yet to verify the Larval Host Plant in this area Two SILVER  CASSIAS (   Senna artemisioides)  are thriving on the COONABARABRAN BUTTERFLY WALK They grow in the WEST PILLIGA,   also near BARADINE  I am hoping they will breed on it.