Let's celebrate Brisbane's butterflies! We'll put the spotlight onto a different species every month. It'll allow us to learn about the butterfly and its needs, and will help to train our eyes and recognition skills. You will also find information on larval host plants to start you off on planting for butterflies.
The Wide-brand Grass-dart (Suniana sunias rectivitta) is a common little butterfly in Brisbane, reaching a wingspan of 21mm for the male and 22mm for the female.
The Green Awl (Hasora discolora) has a wingspan of 42mm (male) to 43mm (female) and is a beautiful little butterfly which distinguishes itself from other awls occurring in Brisbane by colour alone.
The Pale-orange Darter (Telicota colon argeus) is a striking little butterfly belonging to the Hesperiidae family. The wingspan reaches 27mm for males and 29mm for females. The butterfly is only slightly smaller than other local Telicota species.
The Chrome Awl (Hasora chromus) is a butterfly better known from tropical Queensland where its larval host plant Millettia pinnata originates from. While the tree can be found in many gardens in Brisbane and even lines streets.....
The Eastern Dusk Flat (Chaetocneme beata) is also known as Common Red-eye. It can be found in locations along Australia’s eastern coast, thrives in rainforest setting, ...
The Dingy Grass-skipper (Timoconia peron) is a common occurrence in Brisbane. The male adult butterfly has a wingspan of 29mm while the female reaches 30mm.
The White-banded Plane (Phaedyma shepherdi) has a wingspan of 55m for the male and 57mm for the female. Together with the wing design, it's the gliding flight pattern that identifies it and provides its common name.
The Monarch or Wanderer (Danaus plexippus) is one of the most recognised butterflies in Australia, yet it originates from the North American continent where it is known for its spectacular migration.
The Satin or Amaryllis Azure (Ogyris amaryllis amaryllis) belongs to the Lycanidae family. It has a wingspan of 34mm and stands out because of its irridescent colour on the upper wing.
The Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi) has a wingspan of 43mm (male) and 47mm (female). It is one of the common butterflies in Australia spreading across a large part of the continent.
The White Migrant (Catopsilia pyranthe) makes a frequent appearance during our current surveys. It stands out from other Migrant butterflies by wing pattern alone.
Purple Moonbeam (Philiris innotata) is one of those little butterflies whose presence is known without the adult butterfly necessarily being seen.
The Large Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe) is a much loved butterfly, quite common not least because of the variety of host plants the larvae use as food source. With a wingspan of 37mm for the male and 40mm for the female it's one of the smaller butterflies (although size may vary).
The Bronze Flat (Netrocoryne repanda repanda) is of an almost shiny appearance when newly emerged from its pupa. The brown wing colour contrasts with cream to yellowish as well as dark brown spots and markings which may vary slightly.
The Cycad Blue (Theclinesthes onycha onycha) is a tiny butterfly with potentially a big effect on its favoured host plants, much to the dread of home gardeners.
The Dainty Swallowtail (Papilio anactus) is an elegant looking butterfly with a wingspan of 67mm for the male and 72mm for the female.Upper and underside are very similar looking.
The Capaneus Swallowtail (Papilio capaneus) is an impressive butterfly. The male reaches a wingspan of 85mm while the female even exceeds that with 91mm.
Indigo Flash (Rapala varuna) is a stunning butterfly, especially when male and showcasing the intense dark blue of the upper wings. With a mere 29mm wingspan for the male and 28mm for the female it belongs to the Lycaenidae family.
The Scarlet Jezebel (Delias argenthona argenthona) is a beautiful butterfly, one which can be seen flying all year round. It belongs to the family Pieridae (generally grouped as Whites and Yellows).
The Leafwing (Doleschallia bisaltide) is an intriguing butterfly, distinguishing itself by its beautiful rusty orange colour of the upper wings, yet easily blending into the background because of the variable wing underside.
The Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) is the largest of our Swallowtails in South-East Queensland with a wingspan of 105mm for the male and 115mm for the female, sometimes exceeding that. The butterfly’s conservation status is listed as vulnerable.
The Chequered Swallowtail (Papilio demoleus sthelneus) belongs to the Family of Swallowtails (Papilionidae). This attractive butterfly has a wingspan of 72mm for the male and 73mm for the female. Thanks to its wing patterns and colours it can't be mistaken for any other.
The Small Green-banded Blue (Psychonotis caelius) is a favourite among Brisbane’s butterflies, not least because of its larval host plant the Soap Tree or Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsa) is very common in Brisbane.
The Glasswing (Acraea andromacha) is common butterfly in Brisbane. It has a wingspan of 53mm (male) or 56mm (female). It stands out because the forewings are transparent with very few dark markings whereas the hindwings.
The Splendid Ochre (Trapezites symmomus symmomus) is the first Skipper to be described in this series of butterfly introductions. It belongs to the second largest of our butterfly families, the Hesperiidae. It is common in Brisbane.
The Lesser Wanderer (Danaus petilia) can't be missed by it's wingspan of 60mm alone. It is a member of the family Nymphalidae and with that of the Danainae, a subfamily it shares with Blue Tiger...
The Imperial Hairstreak (Jalmenus evagoras) is a stunning butterfly with a wingspan of 32mm (male) and 37mm (female). The early life cycle stages intrigue as larvae and pupae are attended by ants.
The Long-tailed Pea-blue (Lampides boeticus) has a wingspan of 25mm (male) and 27mm (female). This gorgeous little butterfly can easily be distinguished from other species by…
The Blue Triangle (Graphium choredon) is a striking butterfly, easily recognisable by appearance and size. It belongs to the Swallowtails (Papilionidae). Its wingspan reaches 57mm (male) and 60mm (female)..
