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Butterflies

There are heaps of interesting butterfly species residing in Central Australia. If lucky, one of them can colourise your day in the desert.

  • (Catopsilia scylla) Also known as the orange emigrant, the larvae of this species feed on the same plants that the white migrants feed on. The adults' wingspan is around 54 millimetres. The white eggs have a spindle shape and are typically placed singly on the leaf. The egg hatches after 2 days and a green larva comes out. Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catopsilia_scylla

    Photo by Diaz Gio (CC BY 2.0)


  • This species (Junonia villida) are called Albin's Hampstead Eye in the United Kingdom. They live in urban areas as well as woodlands and grasslands. They are hard to come across in winter and migrate north during spring. The relatively robust eggs of the species typically hatch after 8-9 days. Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meadow_argus

    Photo by Jean and Fred (CC BY 2.0)


  • This species (Hypolimnas bolina) is called the Blue Moon Butterfly in New Zealand. It has a black body with 2 vivid blue dots on the lower back. Females & males of this species are usually sexually dimorphic, meaning they are not bound to their genital organs and default roles. Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypolimnas_bolina

    Photo by Comacontrol (Public Domain)


  • Also known as the Amethyst Hairstreak, this species (Jalmenus icilius) has a wingspan of around 30 millimetres. The round, blue eggs have a diameter of 0.5 mm. Interestingly, the caterpillars of this species are attended by ants. So, don't go crazy if you see an ant riding them. Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalmenus_icilius

    Photo by CSIRO (Public Domain)


  • Also known as the long-tailed blue, this species (Lampides boeticus) gets its Latin name from the Baetica province of the Roman Empire. It usually lives on the edges of forests and mountain meadows below the altitude of 2700 metres. This particular species is able to have three generations in one year. Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lampides_boeticus

    Photo by Alpsdake (CC BY-SA 3.0)