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.
Butterfly of the Month
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 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 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)..
The Copper Pencilled-blue (Cyprotides cyprotus pallescens) is an intriguing little butterfly reaching a wingspan of 27mm for the male and 28mm for the female. It’s common name is derived from…..
The Black Jezebel (Delias nigrina) can be seen all year around and is known as one of our winter butterflies. Males and females have a wingspan of 56mm. At first glance the adult butterfly resembles our March 2022 Butterfly of the Month, the Jezebel Nymph.
Evening Brown (Melanitis leda). This is a butterfly for all seasons. Walk through the bush at any time throughout the year, you are bound to disturb an Evening Brown. Helped by its colour on the underside, at first glance, the adult may be mistaken for part of the leaf litter.
The Australian Common Crow (Euploea corinna) is one of the species most often seen in Brisbane, be it in gardens or bushland settings. With a wingspan of 69mm for the male and 72mm for the female, it isn’t easily missed.
The Bright Cornelian (Deudorix diovis) is one of the larger butterflies within the Family Lycaenidae. It derives its common name from the strong orange colour of the male’s upper wing.
The White-banded Line-blue (Nacaduba kurava) has a wingspan of 23mm (male) to 24mm (female). This is one of our smaller butterflies, belonging to the Lycaenidae or Blues.
The Jezebel Nymph (Mynes geoffroyi) is often mistaken for one of our Jezebel butterflies (Delias spp). Admittedly, it is similar in size and, at first glance , similar in appearance to the local Black Jezebel (Delias nigrina).
The Varied Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina) is a fascinating butterfly by appearance alone. Males and females differ in colours and wing patterns. The upper wing side of the male has large white spots surrounded by a blue or sometimes mauve fringe...
The Tailed Emperor (Charaxes sempronius) is a spectacular butterfly to start the year with, worth celebrating. It is impressive at all life cycle stages. The adult's wingspan reaches 85 for females and 75mm for males.
The Clearwing Swallowtail (Cressida cressida) is one of our large butterflies locally with a wingspan of 90mm (male) and 95mm (female) and of impressive beauty. While the female, not dissimilar to birds, tends...
The Caper White (Belenois java) is common and occurs in most parts of Australia. The adult has a wingspan of 55mm. This butterfly is well known for its migration, in some years Caper Whites move in their thousands.
The Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio aegeus) is one of Brisbane's largest butterflies. You can't miss it, and are likely to encounter it in bushland as well as in your garden, the latter especially if you have an orchard or at least a lemon, citrus or kumquat tree.
