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1
Living with the
Butteries of the
Moreton Bay Region
B u
t t e r f l i e s
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Butteries are among the most delightful and
interesting of animals. Every garden no matter
how small is visited by butteries from time to
time. The Moreton Bay region (and its surrounds)
is home to a great variety of butteries.
Courtyard & balcony gardens, small backyards,
and bushland blocks can all supply food for
butteries.
This booklet provides information about buttery
caterpillar food plants as well as nectar rich
plants for adult butteries.
Did you know?
Council’s Environmental Services Departmentcan provide you with a list of native plant species
especially suited to your property’s location and
geology. Environmental Ofcers can also offer advice
about property management, plant and animal
identication, revegetation, weed control and wildlife
conservation.
We will encourage morebutterfies (and other native
wildlie) into our gardens i weplant local native plants and
reduce or avoid pesticides.
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The buttery gardenEvery garden will have many buttery species ying,
feeding and completing their life cycles (eggs, larvae,
pupae and adults), if we supply the needs of larvae and
adults. To ensure this, gardens can be designed to provide
foliage and plant material for caterpillars, and a good
range of nectar rich owers throughout the year.
By providing food and habitat for caterpillars and adultbutteries we are also supplying resources for many
other native animals. Local native plants (those species
that naturally occur in our region) are the best choice for
creating a buttery friendly garden. See page 15 for plant
species information.
Butteries and other insectsButteries are invertebrates (animals without backbones)
and belong to Class Insecta. Insects, like all arthropods,
have segmented bodies and paired, jointed legs. Instead
of an internal skeleton, insects have a hard outer covering
(exoskeleton). Insects, typically, in the adult form, possess
three major body parts (head, thorax and abdomen) and
most have three pairs of walking legs.
This garden at Mt Glorious was designed
for butteries. It now provides food and
habitat for many other native animals
including insects, lizards, frogs, birds and
possums.
Wings covered incoloured scales
Abdomen
Thorax
Proboscis
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Butteries and mothsButteries and moths are grouped into the Order
Lepidoptera and differ from other insects. For example, the
adult typically has much-reduced mouth parts except for
those parts associated with and forming the proboscis – a
coiled tube used for sucking up water, nectar and other
plant juices. The membranous wings are covered on both
surfaces with overlapping scales, and are strengthened by
veins which also brace them – much like battens do a sail.
Moths, though closely related to butteries, differ in
several ways. If the antennae (‘feelers’) are not clubbed it
is a moth. Some Australian moths have clubbed antennae,
but those that do also have a bristle attached near the
base of the hind wing that ts under the fore wing. The
only Australian buttery that has this is the male Regent
Skipper.
Generally, butteries are day active (diurnal) but some only
y during twilight hours. Moths are usually night-active
(nocturnal) but some y only during the day. Moths are
generally nectar feeders – though some may not feed at allduring their adult phase.
Moth
Buttery
Moths and butteries are pollinators activeat different times of the day and night.
DAY (Diurnal)
Tailed Emperor
Joseph’s CoatMothbeautiful and
day-ying.
DUSK/DAWN (Crepuscular)
Evening Brown
NIGHT-TIME (Nocturnal) Female Erebus terminitincta
moth
We usually think of butteries as having beautiful colours
and moths as being in shades of grey and brown. However,
some butteries are drab in appearance while some moths
are exquisitely coloured.
Evening Brownbuttery
well camouagedon leafy forest
oor where it
often rests during
the day.
Butteries have excellent colour vision (as do birds and
humans). Some butteries have a preference for some
colours over others (e.g. Swallowtails are attracted to red).
Many moths, because they y at night, are attracted to
white and yellow owers, which are more easily seen in
darkness.
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From caterpillar toadult butteryLike insects of some other groups, butteries go through
four major changes (complete metamorphosis) during their
life history – egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis) and
adult. The female lays her eggs on plants that she ‘knows’
to be suitable for her larvae to eat (i.e. host plants). As the
larva feeds, it grows and sheds its skin
(a process called ecdysis). Some larvae, especially those of
Birdwing butteries, consume the freshly shed skin in order
not to lose the valuable biochemicals contained within.
Freshly hatched larvae of this group also eat the eggshell
from which they have hatched.
The periods of larval growth in between successive ecdyses
are called instars. In butteries there are typically four
instars. The pupa (often called a chrysalis) is a non-feeding
stage in which the larval organs are
re-organised. After the adult emerges it never grows
any larger.
Buttery life cycle(species shown: Orchard Swallowtail)
The relative length of time of the stages
that butteries progress through varies
according to species and environmental
conditions such as climatic zone, local
weather and season of the year. Some
butteries may have only one brood per year
and spend most of their lives in the larval stages.
Some may have autumn and spring broods, or,
especially in tropical areas, a succession of broods.
In cooler areas one or more of the early stages is
often much longer than those of the same species in
warmer areas.
FA - How long do butteries live?As with most insects their lifespan depends on if and when
they are taken by a predator. As a rule, smaller species such
as the Lycaenids (Blues) live for around three weeks or so,
while larger butteries such as Birdwings can live for over
two months. These estimates are taken from a captive-
breeding situation where most predators are excluded.
Some species whose larvae feed on toxic plants are able to
sequester (store) these toxins in their systems. Unpalatable
due to toxicity, they are avoided by predators and may livefor many months – some even being able to overwinter.
Examples are the Wanderer, Crow, and Blue Tiger butteries.
Egg
Larva
PupaAdult
An early instar
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Display ights and matingby Anthony Hiller
Display ights and mating are one of the most interesting
facets of buttery behaviour. The Swallowtail butteries
are particularly spectacular in this respect. Males will y
closely behind the female and wait for her to alight (land).
When she does, he will hover over her, getting closer
and closer, land beside her, and if she is receptive she
will allow him to mate. Usually, this occurs in a shelteredsituation to avoid predation. If she is already mated,
she may reject him and y off and he will depart to seek
another female.
Mating may last for an hour or more depending on the
species and whether or not the pair is disturbed.
Once mating is completed the female will seek a suitable
host plant on which to lay her eggs.
A Glasswingdeposits eggsonto host plant
HilltoppingHilltopping, although not well
studied, is the congregation of some buttery species on
the tops of ridges and hills – and a captivating sight to
behold. It is thought that this behaviour may maximise the
chances of nding a suitable mate. There is still much to
discover in this fascinating area of buttery study.
Buttery larvaeButtery larvae themselves are often particularly
beautiful and interesting.
Some butterfyspecies congregateon hills and ridges.
Evening Brown larvae
feed on the foliage of native grasses - Blady
Grass and Kangaroo
Grass.
Glasswing larvae feed
on the foliage of Spade
ower and Corky Passion
Vine.
Orchard Swallowtail larva
showing its red osmeterium
– a gland which emits an
odoriferous liquid and is
displayed when the animal is
threatened.
Wanderer Larva.
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Buttery dispersal Once emerged, some buttery species embark on
impressively long journeys – often referred to as migration.
In the Moreton Bay region the Caper White buttery is
one of the most conspicuous. Assisted by the wind, these
butteries can travel hundreds of kilometres to nd food
trees and mates. During springtime (and often coinciding
with hot stormy weather) Caper Whites begin to disperse
throughout South-East Qld – some years in very largenumbers indeed.
Many Caper Whites
A defoliated host tree
– this frenzied feeding
process is a natural
phenomenon to which
the plant is adapted. It
will soon recover with a
ush of new foliage.
Brush Caper Berry– a food source for Caper
White, Striated Pearl-white
and Southern Pearl-white
caterpillars.
A (comparatively) recent arrival In February 1871 the Brisbane Courier reported that
the Monarch buttery (known commonly here as the
Wanderer) had arrived in Australia.
This large buttery has dispersed widely from its native
home in the Americas – ‘hop-scotching’ across the Pacic
Islands to reach Australia. Monarchs have also colonised
parts of Europe. Monarch larvae feed on certain plants of
the ‘milkweed’ family, ASCLEPIADACEAE, including the Red
head cotton bush - a common weed (pictured below).
Monarch
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Requirements of butteriesIn general, butteries need
Suitable ood plants or caterpillars
Food or adults
Water or adults
Suitable larval food plants(caterpillar food)Caterpillars of particular species will only survive on the
leaves of certain host plants. Others will eat more than one
species of plant.
Small GreenBandedBlue on
Soap Tree,
Alphitonia
excelsa –
its larval
food.
Red Passion Vine Passiora aurantia –Glasswing larval food.
Evidence of
caterpillar activity
– if no insecticide is
used, butteries
will follow.Black JeZebel caterpillars feeding
on mistletoe.
Many local native plant species provide foodfor buttery caterpillars.
Growing caterpillarsTo encourage butteries to breed, we may plant suitable
native food hosts (local plant species) in our gardens.
Some native host plants may be partially or almost totally
defoliated by feeding larvae. We need not
worry. The plant is adapted to this and will recover;
and we will be rewarded with a multitude of newly emerged
butteries.
Just some buttery-caterpillar food plants of the
region . . .
Spade flowerHybanthus stellarioides
Foliage of this delicate herb
is a food source for Glasswing
larvae. The species often
features in eucalypt forests
with moist understoreys.
Yellow Buttons Chrysocephalum apiculatum
Caterpillars of the Australian
Painted Lady feast on the
leaves of this common
perennial herb. Yellow Buttons
is easily cultivated from
cuttings or seed and is a ne
plant for rockeries and cottage
gardens.
Ground covers and herbs
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Love FlowerPseuderanthemum variabile
The leaves of this delicate
herbaceous perennial provide
food for several buttery
caterpillar species including
the beautiful Blue-bandedEggy and Leafwings. The
species is commonly found in
moist shady eucalypt forests.
It looks spectacular as a mass
planted understorey.
LomandraLomandra hystrix, L. longifolia etc,
Lomandra foliage provides food
for the larve of some species of
Skipper butteries. The larvae
construct ‘shelters’ by joining
leaves together to form a tight silk-lined structure. Lomandra plants
are commonly used in landscaping
and are especially good for creek
bank stabilisation.
Kangaroo Grass
Themeda triandraThis native grass is gaining
popularity as a landscaping
species. Kangaroo Grass is a
food source for buttery species
including the larvae of the
Evening Brown, Common Brown
and Orange Ringlet.
Pademelon Grasses Oplismenus species. These soft
trailing groundcovers are larval
food plants for Wonder Brown
Butteries. Oplismenus species
are good natives for shadier areas
of the garden – and especially
useful under trees and between
stepping stones. Similar species
includes Graceful Grass, Ottochloa
gracillima, which is also a
caterpillar food plant.
Stinging Nettle, Urtica incisa
Caution! A prickly customer,
yes, but nettle is a very useful
plant for buttery gardens.
Stinging Nettle is a food plant for
caterpillars of the Yellow Admiral
buttery. Obviously site selection
should favour areas away from
paths – preferably towards the
rear of garden beds, and shady,
moist areas. Appropriate clothing
(including gloves) is necessary
when working near nettle.
A Yellow Admiral freshly
emerged from pupa on stinging
nettle.
Native grassesButtery-caterpillar food plants of the region cont. . .
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Coffee BushBreynia oblongifolia
This spreading shrub to about
2-3 metres tall bears bright red
fruit which turns black when
ripe. It’s a useful pioneer
species and a host plant for
the Large Grass-yellow buttery(see page 33)
Native Finger LimeCitrus australasica
This tall shrub (growing to around
4m) is host for the sweetly
named Dainty Swallowtail
buttery. The Native Finger
Lime is hardy, slow growing,
and produces edible fruit. It is a
nice addition to any bush tucker
garden.
Dainty Swallowtail depositing eggs on
native citrus
Native PlumGuilfoylia monostylis
Native plum is a small tree
(to 6m) with lime green
leaves and bearing bright
yellow owers midsummer.
Native Plum grows on the
edges of rainforest and
wet eucalypt forest and is
a food for Tailed Emperor
caterpillars.
Dogwood, Jacksonia scoparia
Caterpillars of the Fiery Jewel and
Copper Pencilled-blue eat the ower
buds and owers of this species.
Dogwood grows to around 4m tall, and
provides interesting form and colour
for a mixed planting.
Shrubs
Brisbane WattleAcacia mbriata
Green WattleAcacia irrorata
subspecies irrorata
Forest hop BushDodonaea triquetra
The Native Hop shrubs grow
to about 3m and are ideal for
smaller gardens. Caterpillars of the
exquisite Fiery Jewel buttery
feed on the foliage of this species.
Acacia foliage is eaten by caterpillars of the Imperial
Hairstreak, Moonlight Jewel, and others. Acacias are
pioneer plants – and often the rst to appear after
disturbance. They are useful for revegetation projects and
attract lots of animals including possums, gliders,
and birds. Most grow to 3-5 metres. Some
dwarf forms are available.
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Trees
Brown KurrajongCommersonia bartramia
Medium sized tree to 20m.
Brown Kurrajong is quick
growing – making it a popular
species for revegetation
projects. Its leaves are eaten by
caterpillars of the Coral Jewel
buttery. It also attracts Ladybird
beetles.
TuckerooCupaniopsis anacardioides
A small tree (to 10m) popular with
urban landscapers; its dense crown
of glossy green leaves provides
good shade and requires little
maintenance. Foliage and fruit are
food for caterpillars including the
Common Pencilled-blue and Bright
Cornelian butteries.
Sandpaper figsFicus coronata,
F.opposita, F. fraseri
grow to about 10–15m if left
unpruned. The leaves are food
for caterpillars including those
of the Common Crow and Purple
Moonbeam butteries. This
species attracts loads of wildlife.
Although hardy, it excels in moistshady areas – especially along
creeks and drainage lines.
Brush Box Lophostemon confertus
Brush Box is a handsome,
manageable gum tree to 30m
– but usually only reaching this
height in a forest setting. It is a
good shade tree and lovely main
feature when given adequate
space. Brush Box leaves are eaten
by the Coral Jewel and Bronze Flat
butteries. Under-planting with
shrubs, grasses, and ground coverswill attract many more buttery species. It’s also a
Koala food tree.
Vines and Palms
Native WisteriaCallerya megasperma
Surely one of our prettiest rainforest
vines. This species does best where it
can clamber into the canopy of a tall
tree. It’s a host plant for
Common Pencilled-blue buttery.
Piccabeen PalmArchontophoenix cunninghamiana
The leaves of this gorgeous palm tree
provide food for larvae of the Orange
Palm-dart and Yellow Palm-dart
butteries. These palms grow
best in moister environments –
and naturally occur in rainforest and
wet eucalypt forest.
Barbed Wire Vine, Smilax australis
This is a tough leaved climber
common in our region, and host plant
for Fiery Jewels.
Monkey Rope, Parsonsia straminea
Monkey Rope is one of the many
species on which Common Crow
butteries lay their eggs. It’s a
widespread woody climber in the
Moreton Bay region, and commonly
seen growing on eucalypts,
melaleucas and she-oaks.
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Melaleuca spp. (including those
formally of the Callistemon genus)
Many different species belong to this
genus. All produce sweet owers which
attract butteries.
Crown of Gold TreeBarklya syringifolia
This rainforest tree is stunning
in ower. Crown of Gold occurs
naturally in our region. It may grow
to 20m in a rainforest; and around
7m in cultivation. Easily prune
managed.
MacadamiaMacadamia trees usually ower in late
winter/spring and will attract butteries
and native bees. Flowers of the ‘Home
Beauty’ cultivar
(M. integrifolia x M. tetraphylla)
are pictured here.
Rusty Gum Angophora leiocarpa
A tree to 25m, though probably smaller
in cultivation, and can be pruned. Its
sweet owers attract loads of wildlife. It’s
also a Koala food tree.
Butteries need waterEspecially in hot dry weather, butteries need extra water.
We can provide water for butteries and other wildlife
by constructing garden ponds and bog gardens withperipheral ‘sand soaks’. Pond plants with oating leaves
cater for butteries and other insects.
Some butteries will also seek moisture from
decaying fruit.
Here, an aggregation of butteries
sip water from moist sand. It is
thought that some species exhibit
this behaviour (known as mud-
puddling or puddling) in order to take
up mineral salts in the water, which
in some way are benecial to the insect. It may be important
to the males’ fertilisation process as it is normally only
males that are found in this situation. Mud-puddling is most
commonly practiced by Papilionid (swallowtails) and Pierid
(whites) butteries, and also Lycaenids (blues).
Birdbaths provide
water for butteries.
Pavetta, Pavetta australienses
Pavetta is a gorgeous shrub growing to
around 4m and naturally occurring in
dry rainforest. Sweet Pavetta nectar is
consumed by butteries and moths.
Bolwarra, Eupomatia laurinaBolwarra is a glossy leaved shrub/small
tree to around 6m. Its ower scent is
suggestive of sweet sherry and irresistible
to many insects including some buttery
species.
Food for adults(nectar and plant juices)Butteries feed on nectar from owers, and other suitable
plant juices. If we plant natives that produce large quantities
of nectar, we can attract a wide variety of butteries that
would otherwise y past. Many plants from overseas will also
supply this food, but a lot are weeds that invade bushland.
For example, Lantana produces lots of owers and is often
suggested as a species to attract butteries. Lantana species
though, are such serious weeds that we should not encourageany of them to grow anywhere. We should replace them with
suitable native species.
Contact council’s Environmental Services Departmentfor more information about local native plants.
Environmental Ofcers can supply you with a list ofplants suitable for your location.
Some local plants that feed
adult butteries include . . .
Many native plants provide nectarfor butteries
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Pesticide chemicals
Some exotic plants(including Jacarandas and Dutchman’s Pipe Vine)
Avoiding pesticide chemicals
Spraying caterpillars (‘grubs’) with pesticides will diminish
buttery populations. Unfortunately, many of us have been
mislead by television and radio gardening shows and the
advertisements of chemical companies into believing that
any chewed, curled or less than perfect leaf on any plant
is unnatural, unsightly and indicates that application of
insecticide is necessary.
There are no chemicals that killonly the ‘bad’ insects.
Most buttery caterpillars eat plant leaves. For example,
Orchard Swallowtail butteries and many of their familyeat the leaves of citrus plants. If we spray the caterpillars
(along with other ‘pests’) no citrus butteries will result.
Chewed leaves of Hairy BirdsEye, Alectryon tomentosus.
Egg from an OrchardSwallowtail butterfly
on a lemon tree.
Some plants to avoidSome imported plants may also be eaten by buttery
larvae, but it is more environmentally sound to use
only native plants. For example, leaves of the imported
Camphor Laurel tree are larval food of Blue Triangles, but
this tree is one of the most serious environmental weeds;
and there are many lovely native laurels and other suitable
replacements.
A Blue Triangle on
(local native) Wild uince,Guioa semiglauca.
Dutchman’s Pipe – an exotic
that kills the larvae of the rare
Richmond Birdwing.
Some imported plants that
are closely related to natives,
attract and cue female
butteries to lay their eggs,
but the larvae die when they
eat the leaves. This is how the
exotic Dutchman’s Pipe vine
kills the caterpillars of our very
beautiful and rare Richmond
Birdwing buttery.
Richmond Birdwing VinePararistolochia praevenosa
A rainforest vine and host for the
Richmond Birdwing. Best planted
in groups of three or more i.e. plant
several vines in close proximity –
somewhere where they can climb
in among the canopy of local native
trees.
The rare RichmondBirdwingbutterfly.
O
If we stop all spraying of our
citrus (and other plants in our
lawns and gardens) ‘friendly’
insects, spiders and otheranimals such as birds, lizards
and marsupials will help to
keep unwanted insects under
control.
What to avoid
emale male
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Richmond BirdwingVine Flower.
Tailed Emperorcaterpillar
Tailed Emperoradult butterfly
Chalcid waspparasitising buttery
pupa.
Caterpillars of the Tailed
Emperor buttery are poisoned
fatally after ingesting thefoliage from Jacaranda trees.
Jacaranda mimosa is
poisonous to Tailed
Emperor caterpillars.
Lacebark Tree Brachychiton discolour
A local beauty, Lacebark is
an excellent replacement for
Jacaranda. It attracts
local wildlife.
Buttery predatorsby Anthony Hiller
Many insects are food for predators, and butteries are no
exception.
Mammals and birdsObvious buttery predators are birds – especially those
that feed on the wing (catch their food while ying).
Swallows have been observed taking Caper White
butteries and many smaller species fall prey to birds suchas Fantails and Yellow Robins. Species of insectivorous
birds also search foliage for larvae and eggs.
Some small mammals, notably the carnivorous marsupial
mice Antechinus species, also feed on larvae and pupae.
Spiders, wasps and iesThe parasites of the early stages of butteries are many
and include Chalcid wasps that pierce the shell of the
pupa with a sharp egg-laying tube (ovipositor) and lay their
own eggs inside. The hatchling wasp larvae feed on the
contents of the pupa, and emerge as adult wasps.
Tachinid ies glue their eggs to the skins of buttery larvae.
Upon hatching, the y larvae burrow through the larval skin
and consume the contents, leaving the vital organs until
last to ensure an ongoing fresh food supply.
Other parasitic ies lay their eggs on the larval host plant
which are then consumed by the buttery larvae with the
same result.
Many wasps take buttery
larvae to provision their own
brood cells and feed their own
larvae. Tiny species of parasitic
wasps even pierce buttery eggs
with the same result.
Some plants to avoid continued...
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Many buttery species lay over 200 eggs per female. It has
been stated that were it not for all these predators and
parasites, we would not be able to breathe for the amount
of butteries occupying the air.
Spiders, too, are serious buttery predators, taking
butteries which are snared in their webs.
The Flower Spider liesin ambush waiting orunwary butterlies tovisit the lower.
FA - Why are there fewer butteriesnow than when I was a child?Firstly, children are often more observant and have more time
to take in their surroundings than do adults. Unfortunately,
our current regimes of insecticide spray use in the garden
as well as environmental degradation and native vegetation
clearing is having a negative effect on buttery populations.
FA - Do butteries die if thecoloured ‘dust’ is rubbed from theirwings?Buttery wings are covered in tiny pigmented scales, much
like miniature tiles on a roof. Each one overlaps others and
they are fastened by one end only. If these are rubbed,
they will come away from the wing, leaving colour on the
ngers, and a clear patch on the wing. This does not kill
the buttery, but may interfere with mate selection as the
pattern would be altered. It will also reduce the insect’s
ability to repel water.
Males and females of some butteriesdier. This is termed sexual dimorphism.
ClearwingSwallowtails
VariedEggly
emale
emale
male
male
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Some butteries are more beautiful underthe wings than above.
YellowAlbatross
ScarletJeZebel
Buttery family groups (Images not true to life-size)
Skippers etc
Swallowtails
Regent Skipper
A Skipper
Four-BarredSwordtail
ChequeredSwallowtail
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Buttery family groups (Images not true to life-size)
Buttery family groups (Images not true to life-size)
Whites andYellows
Swallowtails
Yellow-spottedJeZebel
Black JeZebel
Blue Triangle
Caper White
Macleay’sSwallowtail
Richmond Birdwing(Male)
Large Grass-yellow (male)- Wet season orm
Clear-WingSwallowtail (Male)
Yellow Albatross
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Buttery family groups (Images not true to life-size)
Buttery family groups (Images not true to life-size)
Nymphs etcNymphs etc
Common BrownSwamp Tiger
White-banded PlaneLesser Wanderer
Yellow AdmiralPurple Crow
Australian PaintedLadyBlue Tiger
Tailed EmperorCommon Brown Ringlet
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Buttery family groups (Images not true to life-size)
Buttery family groups (Images not true to life-size)
Blues,Coppers, etcNymphs etc
Imperial HairstreakMeadow Argus
Small Green-banded BlueGlasswing
Common PencilBlue (Female)Australian Leawing
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Some butteries of the Moreton Bay regionand food sources for their caterpillars
Common Name Scientic Name Native Plants for Caterpillars
Narrow-winged Awl Badamia exclamationis Pongamia pinnata
Orange Palm-dart Cephrenes augiadesPiccabeen Palm, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana; +Walking Stick Palm,
Linospadix monostachya; Cabbage Tree Palm, Livistona australis
Regent Skipper Euschemon rafesia +Tetra Beech, Wilkiea huegeliana; +Large-leaf Wilkiea, W. macrophylla
Green Awl Hasora discolor Burny Bean, Mucana gigantea; Macaranga, Macaranga tanarius
Large Banded Awl Hasora khoda Native Wisteria, Callerya megasperma
Bronze Flat Netrocoryne repanda
Brush Box, Lophostemon confertus; Corkwood, Endiandra sieberi; Kurrajong, Brachychiton
populneus; Flintwood, Scolopia braunii; Wild Quince, Alectryon subcinereus;+Mock Olive,
Notelaea longifolia; +Blueberry Ash, Elaeocarpus reticulartus;Native Laurels, Cryptocarya
spp;+White Bolly Gum, Neolitsea dealbata; Brown Bolly Gum, Litsea leefeana
Common Pencilled-blue Candalides absimilis
Tuckeroos, Cupaniopsis spp; Black Bean, Castanospermum australe; Native Wisteria,
Callerya megasperma; +Coast Bird’s Eye, Alectryon coriaceus; Scrub Whitewood,
Atalaya salicifolia; Blunt-leaf Tulip, Harpullia hillii; Supplejack, Flagellaria indica;
Macadamia; Flame Tree, Brachychiton acerifolium; Kurrajong, B. populneus;
Copper Pencilled-blue Candalides cyprotus +Dogwood, Jacksonia scoparia; Devils Rice, Conospermum taxifolium;
Varied Dusky Blue Candalides hyacinthina +Dodder Laurels, Cassytha pubescens; C. liformis
Speckled Line-blue Catopyrops orindaPeach Leaf, Trema tomentosa; Caesalpinia bonduc; Tulipwood, Harpullia pendula;
+Native Mulberry, Pipturus argenteus
Small Green-banded Blue Psychonotis caelius Soap Tree/Red Ash, Alphitonia excelsa; Pink Ash, A. petrei
Hairy Line-blue Erysichton lineataTuckeroo, Cupaniopsis anacardioides; +Coast Bird’s Eye, Alectryon coriaceus; Koda, Ehretia
acuminata; Macadamia, Macadamia integrifolia; Blue Lilly Pilly, Syzygium oleosum
Copper Jewel Hypochrysops apelles
Soap Tree, Alphitonia excelsa; Red Mangrove, Rhizophora stylosa; Orange
Mangrove, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza; Yellow Mangrove, Ceriops tagal; Grey
Mangrove, Avicennia marina; Grey Ironbark, Eucalyptus siderophloia
Fiery Jewel Hypochrysops ignita
+Dogwood, Jacksonia scoparia; Soap Tree, Alphitonia excelsa; Tuckeroo,
Cupaniopsis anacardioides; Hard Quandong, Elaeocarpus obovatus; +Hop Bushes,
Dodonaea triquetra & D. viscosa; +Native Daphne, Brachyloma daphnoides;
Hickory Wattle, Acacia disparrima; +Barbwire Vine, Smilax australis; +Lolly Bush,
Clerodendrum oribundum; Native Cherries, Exocarpus cupressiformis &
E. latifolius; Swamp Box, Lophostemon suaveolens
Imperial Hairstreak Jalmenus evagorasMistletoe, Amyema pendula; Wattles e.g. Blackwood, Acacia melanoxylon; Blue Skin
Wattle, A. irrorata; Brisbane Wattle, A. mbriata; +Sickle-leaf Wattle, A. falcata
Large Purple Line-blue Nacaduba berenice
Tuckeroo, Cupaniopsis anacardioides; +Coast Bird’s Eye, Alectryon coriaceus;
Macadamias, M. integrifolia & M. tetraphylla; Rose Tamarind, Arytera divaricata;
Scrub Whitewood, Atalaya salicifolia; Native Elm, Aphananthe philippinensis
Common Moonbeam Philiris innotatus Sandpaper Figs, Ficus coronata; F. opposita
Felder’s Lineblue Prosotus felder
Wattles e.g. Early Black Wattle, Acacia leiocalyx, +Mountain Hickory, A.
penninervis; +Dune Wattle, A. sophorae; +Coast Bird’s Eye, Alectryon coriaceus;
Tuckeroo, Cupaniopsis anacardioides; Macadamia, Macadamia integrifolia
Zebra Blue Leptotes plinius +Plumbago, Plumbago zeylanica
Glistening Blue Sahulana scintillataTuckeroo, Cupaniopsis anacardioides; +Coast Bird’s Eye, Alectryon coriaceus;
Early Black Wattle, Acacia leiocalyx
Common Grass-blue Zizina labradus+Emu Foot, Cullen tenax; +Native Indigo, Indigophera australis; +Twining Glycine,
Glycine clandestina; +Wooly Glycine, G. tomentella +Desmodium nemorosum,
+D.rhytidophyllum; False Sarsparilla, Hardenbergia violacea
Family Hesperiidae (Skippers, Awls, Flats)
Family Lycaenidae (Blues and Coppers)
+ = suitable for small gardens
* introduced
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Common Name Scientic Name Native Plants for Caterpillars
Common Name Scientic Name Native Plants for Caterpillars
Four-barred Swordtail Protographium leosthenes Zigzag Vine, Melodorum leichhardtii
Macleay’s Swallowtail Graphium macleayanus
Socketwood, Daphnandra species; Rib-fruit Pepperberry, Cryptocarya
hypospodia; Pigeonberry Ash, C. erythroxylon; Brown Laurel, C. triplinervis;
Hairy Walnut, Endiandra pubens; Rose Walnut, E. discolor
Blue Triangle Graphium sarpedon
Camphorwood, Cinnamomum oliveri; Blush Walnut, Beilschmiedia obtusifolia; Brown Laurel, Cryptocarya triplinervis; Rib-fruit Pepperberry, C. hypospodia;
Murrogun, C. microneura; Bolly Gum, Litsea reticulata; Brown Bolly Gum,
L. leefeana; Scrub Wilga, Geijera salicifolia; +White Bolly Gum, Neolitsea
dealbata; +Lolly Bushes, Clerodendrum oribundum & C. tomentosum
Pale Triangle Graphium eurypylusZigzag Vine, Melodorum leichhardtii; Canary Beech, Polyalthia nitidissima;
Native Tamarind, Diploglottis australis
Clear-wing Swallowtail Cressida cressida+Native pipe vines, Pararistolochia sp. aff. pubera, Pararistolochia laheyana,
+P. praevenosa
Richmond Birdwing Ornithoptera richmondia +Native pipe vines, Pararistolochia praevenosa, P. laheyana & P. sp. aff. pubera
Dainty Swallowtail Papilio anactus +Native Lime, Citrus australis; +Finger Lime C. australasica
Orchard Swallowtail Papilio aegeus
+Native Lime, - Citrus australis; +Finger Lime, - C. australasica; +Sandy Zieria
- Zieria smithii; Crow’s Ash, Flindersia australis; Bennett’s Ash, F. bennettiana;
Leopard Ash, F. collina; Bumpy Ash, F. schottiana; Scrub Wilga, Geijera salicifolia;
Thorny Yellowwood, Zanthoxylum brachyacanthum; Saffron Heart, Halfordiakendack; Silver Sycamore, Cryptocarya glaucescens;
+Long Leaf Wax Flower, Philotheca myoporoides
Chequered Swallowtail Papilio demoleus Emu’s Foot, Cullen tenax; Native Lime, Citrus australis
Lemon Migrant Catopsilia pomonaCigar Cassia, Cassia brewsteri; Cassia tomentella;
Striped-pod Cassia, Senna pleuracarpa; S. coronilloides; S. marksiana
Large
Grass-yellowEurema hecabe
+Native Coffee bush, Breynia oblongifolia; +Sesbania Pea , Sesbania canabinna,
Senna coronilloides; Maiden’s Wattle, Acacia maidenii;
+Native Indigo, Indigophora australis
Small Grass-yellow Eurema smilax+Native Coffee bush, Breynia oblongifolia; +Sesbania canabina; Senna
coronilloides; Senna surrattensis; Wattles e.g. Maiden’s Wattle, Acacia maidenii
Spotted
JezebelDelias aganippe +Native Cherry, Exocarpos cupressiformis; +Mistletoe, Amyema spp.
Scarlet Jezebel Delias argenthona +Mistletoes, Amyema, Muellerina & Dendrophthoe spp.
Black Jezebel Delias nigrina +Mistletoes, Amyema, Muellerina & Dendrophthe spp.
Yellow-spotted
JezebelDelias nysa +Mistletoes, Korthalsella spp., Amyema spp
Caper White Belenois java+Brush Caper Berry, Capparis arborea; Tree Caper, C. mitchellii;
+Scrambling Caper, C. sarmentosa
Caper Gull Cepora perimale +Native capers, e.g. Capparis mitchellii
Yellow Albatross Appias paulina Yellow Tulip, Drypetes deplanchei; +Capparis spp.
Family Papilionidae (Swallowtails)
Family Pieridae (Whites and Yellows)
+ = suitable for small gardens
* introduced
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Common Name Scientic Name Native Plants for Caterpillars
Swamp Tiger Danaus afnis +‘Peanut Vine’, Cynanchum carnosum
Lesser Wanderer Danaus chrysippus +‘Peanut Vine’, Cynanchum carnosum
Blue Tiger Tirumala hamataCorky Milk Vine, Secamone elliptica;
+‘Peanut Vine’, Cynanchum carnosum
Wanderer/Monarch Danaus plexippus Introduced, *Balloon Cotton Bush, Gomphocarpus physocarpusand *Red Cotton Bush, Asclepias curassavica
Common Crow Euploea core
Rock Fig, Ficus rubiginosa; Small-leaf Fig, F. obliqua; White Fig F. virens; +Wax Flower,
Hoya australis; Corky Milk Vine, Secamone elliptica; + ‘Peanut Vine’, Cynanchum
carnosum; Monkey Rope, Parsonsia straminea; Gargaloo, P. eucalyptophylla; Common
Milk Vine, Marsdenia rostrata; +Current Bush, Carissa ovata
Purple Crow Euploea tulliolus Burny Vine, Trophis scandens
Evening Brown Melanitis leda +Blady Grass, Imperata cylindrica; Kangaroo Grass, Themeda triandra
Common Brown Ringlet Hypocysta metirius+*Green Couch, Cynodon dactylon; +Blady Grass, Imperata cylindrica; +Kangaroo
Grass, Themeda triandra; Swamp Rice Grass, Leersia hexandra; Gahnia clarkei
Ringed Xenica Geitoneura acantha +Kangaroo Grass, Themeda triandra; +Rice Meadow Grass, Microlaena stipoides
Common Brown Heteronympha merope+Kangaroo Grass, Themeda triandra; +*Green Couch, Cynodon dactylon;
+Rice Meadow Grass, Microlaena stipoides
Dusky Knight Ypthima arctoa +Blady Grass, Imperata cylindrica
Tailed Emperor Polyura pyrrhus
Native Elm, Aphanantha philippinensis; Investigator Tree, Celtis paniculata; Flame
Tree, Brachychiton acerifolium; Kurrajong, B. populneus; Lace Bark, B. discolor;
Native Plum, Guilfoylia monostylis; Wattles, e.g. Qld Wattle, Acacia podalyriifolia;
Maiden’s Wattle, A. maidenii; +Snow Wood, Pararchidendron pruinosum
White-banded Plane Phaedyma shepherdi
Burny Bean, Mucana gigantea; Native Elm, Aphananthe philippinensis; Investigator
Tree, Celtis paniculata; Flame Tree, Brachychiton acerifolium; Koda, Ehretia
acuminata; Flame Tree, Brachychiton acerifolium; Kurrajong, B. populneus; Lace
Bark, B. discolor
Laced Fritillary Argyreus hyperbius +Purple Violet, Viola betonicifolia
Jezebel Nymph Mynes geoffroyi Stinging Trees, Dendrocnide moroides, D. photinophylla;
+Native Mulberry, Pipturis argenteus
Australian Leafwing Doleschallia bisaltide +Love Flower, Pseuderanthemum variabile
Varied Eggy Hypolimnus bolina+Joyweed, Alternanthera denticulata; +Love Flower, Pseuderanthemum variabile;
+Smart Weed, Persicaria species;
Australian Painted Lady Vanessa kershawi +Golden Everlasting, Xerochrysum bracteatum;
Yellow Buttons, Chrysocephalum apiculatum
Australian Admiral Vanessa itea +Stinging Nettle, Urtica incisa
Meadow Argus Junonia villida
+Hygrophila angustifolia +Australian Centaury, Centaurium spicatum;
+Nutheads, Epaltes australis; +Evolulus alsinoides; +Star Goodenia, Goodenia
rotundifolia; +Mountain Primrose, G. grandiora;
+Fairy Fan Flower, Scaevola aemula
Glasswing Acraea andromacha+Spade Flower, Hybanthus stellarioides;
+Red Passion Flower, Passiora aurantia; Yellow Passion Flower, P. herbertiana
Family Nymphalidae(Danaids, Crows, Browns, Nymphs)
+ = suitable for small gardens
* introduced
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Have you seen this buttery?
Ar r o w h e a d V i o l e t V i o l a b e t o n i c i f o l i a
Laced FritillaryArgyreus hyperbius
Host ood or Laced Fritillary
The Laced Fritillary (also called Australian Fritillary) is a
buttery with a very localised distribution in our region.
It’s one of two species listed as endangered under the
Queensland Nature Conservation Act (1992). The other
is the Bulloak Jewel, Hypochrysops piceata, from the
Western Darling Downs.
Most specimens of the Laced Fritillary have been collected
from river estuaries or swampy coastal areas at or near sea
level. They are restricted to open, swampy, coastal areas
where the larval food plant, Viola betonicifolia, grows as a
small, insignicant ground herb in association with Lomandra
longifolia (Long-leaved Matrush) and grasses, especially the
grass Imperata cylindrica (Blady Grass)This habitat is called Melaleuca wetlands, although the
larval food plant does not occur in all sub-types of this plant
community.
Its range has decreased due to habitat loss.
Information supplied courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency,
Queensland.
Our community nurseries
produce plants from
provincial seed, that is,
seed collected locally in the
Moreton Bay region.
Pine RiversCommunity NurseryKumbartcho Sanctuary Bunya Pine Court, Eatons Hill
Ph (07) 3264 3953
Opening times: Thursday and
Friday 9am – 3pm;
Saturday 8am – 12noon
Redclie Botanic Gardens
Community NurseryOff street parking located on
Henzell Street, Redcliffe
Open: Tuesday 9 – 12noon and
Saturday 8 – 10am.
The nursery is also
open by appointment.
Email: [email protected]
Where to source local native plants
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Where to source local native plants
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Anthony and Katie Hiller of
Mt Glorious Biological Centre for information and images,
www.mountgloriousbutteries.com
Photograph contributors: Anthony & Katie Hiller,
Bernadette May, Peter Chew, John Bowden, Jenny Miners,
Todd Burrows, Tony Bailey, Steven Petro,
Nathan Kirby, Glenn Leiper, Deborah Metters,
David Cook Photography. Photos taken by M Fagg are© Australian National Botanic Gardens.
Further reading:
Butteries of Australia by Michael F. Braby.
Create More Butteries by Frank Jordan
and Helen Schwencke.
Bribie IslandCommunity Nursery
208 First Avenue, Bongaree
Ph (07) 3410 0088
Open: Monday to Friday
8 – 11am
CREEC Community NurseryThis nursery produces local
native plants.
CREEC Environment Centre
150 Rowley Road, Burpengary
Ph (07) 3888 8751
Pine Rivers DistrictCouncil Nursery
This nursery predominantly
sells local native species.
Woonara Drive, Petrie
Plant sales are
Wednesdays and Fridays only
from 1 - 3.45pm.
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Redcliffe
Strathpine
Caboolture
Bribie
Island
Moreton Bay
Port of Brisbane
Brisbane
Sunshine
Coast
Somerset
Region
MORETON BAY
REGION
MORETON BAY
REGION
This brochure is printed on Onyx, an Australian made
100% recycled stock made from 60% pre-consumer
and 40% post-consumer waste and manufactured under
the environmental management system ISO 14001.
Moreton Bay Regional Council offsets the energy and
resources used to produce this and other Living With
the Environment booklets, brochures, and posters,
through a program of revegetation plantings and habitat
restoration projects in the Moreton Bay region.