Butterfly List

BUTTERFLY SPECIES COMMONLY FOUND IN THE MOGGILL CREEK CATCHMENT

The photos in this list were taken in the catchment and are the copyright of either Ed Frazer and Dale Borgelt, as shown. The list has 4 categories:

1. Swallowtails

2. Whites and Yellows

3. Nymphs (Nymphalidae)

4. Blues, Skippers and Moths

1. SWALLOWTAILS (Papilionindae)
Species	Common name and size Scientific name Other names	Similar species also found in the catchment	Host plants (caterpillar)	Notes and recommended plantings
© Ed Frazer	Blue Triangle (m) 60mm Graphium sarpedon	See Pale Triangle	Litsea reticulata Cryptocarya spp Clerodendron spp Cinnamomum camphora Beilschmiedia elliptica B. obtusifolia Geijera salicifolia Neolitsea dealbata	Plant native laurels: Cryptocarya spp Bolly Gum (Litsea reticulata) Hairy leaf Bolly Gum (Neolitsea dealbata) The photo of the male shows him being amorous! He hides long feathery “hairs” in the upper margin of his hind wings. These may help disperse pheromones to the female.
© Dale Borgelt	Blue Triangle (f) 60mm Graphium sarpedon	See Pale Triangle
© Ed Frazer	Chequered Swallowtail (m) 75mm Papilio demoleus	None	Cullen tenax Occasionally Citrus australasica	Plant Emu foot (Cullen tenax) in full sun Found along creeks in drier areas
© Ed Frazer	Chequered Swallowtail (f) 75mm Papilio demoleus	None	Cullen tenax Occasionally Citrus australasica
Male © Ed Frazer	Clearwing Swallowtail (m) 80mm Cressida cressida Greasy Swallowtail Big Greasy	See Dainty Swallowtail See Glasswing	Aristolochia meridionalis Pararistolochia praevenosa	Plant Birdwing Butterfly Vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa) Males fly slowly over breeding areas looking for femalesThe females fly close to the ground and come to rest frequentlyCommon butterfly
Female © Ed Frazer	Clearwing Swallowtail (f) 70mm Cressida cressida Greasy Swallowtail Big Greasy	See Dainty Swallowtail See Glasswing	Aristolochia meridionalis Pararistolochia praevenosa
© Dale Borgelt © Ed Frazer	Dainty Swallowtail (m & f) 70mm Papilio inactus Dingy Swallowtail Small Citrus Butterfly	See Clearwing Swallowtail above	Citrus australis Geijera parviflora	Plant Australian Round Lime (Citrus australis)
© Dale Borgelt	Four-barred Swordtail (m) 53mm Protographium leosthenes	None	Melodorum leichhardtii	Plant Zig Zag Vine (Melodorum leichhardtii ) Can also be grown as a flowering and fruiting shrub Female lighter brown, similar pattern
© Ed Frazer	Fuscous Swallowtail (m) 85mm Papilio fuscus Tailed Citrus Butterfly	See Orchard Swallowtail below	Micromelum minutuum M. ovatifoliolata Zanthoxylum brachyacanthum	Plant Lime Berry (Micromelum minutum ) Common after a wet season. Fly slowly and found often near citrus trees
© Dale Borgelt © Ed Frazer	Orchard Swallowtail (m) 102mm Papilio aegus Orchard Butterfly	See Fuscous Swallowtail above	Citrus australis C.australasica Flindersia bennettiana F. australis F. collina Geijera salicifolia Melicope micrococca Zanthoxylum smithii Z. brachyacanthum	Recommended plants: Crow’s Ash (Flindersia australis ) Bennett’s Ash (F. bennettiana) Leopard Ash (F. collina) Common Often seen in gardens with Citrus trees
© Ed Frazer	Orchard Swallowtail (f) 110mm	See Clearwing Swallowtail See Dainty Swallowtail		Female in photo is laying eggs on an Orange tree
© Dale Borgelt © Ed Frazer	Pale Triangle (m) 59mm Graphium euryplus Pale Blue Triangle Pale Green Triangle	See Blue Triangle	Melodorum leichhardtii Polyalthia nitidissima Annona reticulata	Recommended plants: Zig Zag Vine (Melodorum leichhardtii) Canary Beech (Polyalthia nitidissima) Newly emerged can be so blue that they can be mistaken for Blue Triangles Their colour fades after just a few days, (shown in the second photo)
2. WHITES AND YELLOWS (Pierinae)
Species	Common Name and size Scientific name Other names	Similar species also found in the catchment	Host plants (caterpillar)	Notes and recommended plantings
Females Males © Ed Frazer	Black Jezebel (m & f) 56mm Common Jezebel Delias negrina	See Jezebel Nymph (Mynes geoffroyi) in the Nymphs section	Several mistletoes	Not common in the catchment. Migrates up from NSW in the Autumn and often flies with the more common Scarlet Jezebel. Appears black when flying, in contrast with the Scarlet Jezebel, which looks white when flying
© Ed Frazer	Cabbage White (m & f) 44mm Pieris rapae	See Pearl Whites	Brassicas	Pest species introduced
© Ed Frazer	Caper Gull (m & f) 43mm Cepora perimale Australian Gull Northern Gull	See Yellow Albatross female See Caper White below	Capparis arborea C. velutina	Recommended plants: Caper Bush (Capparis arborea) Velvet-leaved Caper Berry (Capparis velutina) Has more spots than Yellow Albatross female
Male © Ed Frazer	Caper White (m) 55mm Belenois java	See Jezebels	Capparis arborea	Plant Caper Bush (Capparis arborea) The strong yellow colour shown in the female photo fades quickly after hatching
Female © Ed Frazer	Caper White (f) 55mm Belenois java	See Jezebels	Capparis arborea
© Ed Frazer	Large Grass-yellow (m & f) 37mm Eurema hecabe Common Grass-yellow	See Small Grass-yellow	Acacia irrorata A. maidenii A. melanoxylon Breynia oblongifolia Senna acclinis Sesbania cannabina	Plant Wattle (Acacia spp)
© Ed Frazer	Lemon Migrant (m) 58mm Catopsilla pomona Cassia Butterfly	White Migrant See Yellow Migrant	Cassia spp Senna spp	Breed only in the wet season Very large migrations take place during warmer months Present and common most of the year in the catchment
© Ed Frazer	Lemon Migrant (f) 58mm Catopsilla pomona Cassia Butterfly		Cassia spp Senna spp
© Ed Frazer	No-brand Grass-yellow 36mm Eurema brigitta	See Small Grass-yellow	Chamaecrista nomame	One of the three common Grass-Yellows in the Catchment Common in pasture areas
© Ed Frazer © Ed Frazer	Scarlet Jezebel Delias argenthona Northern Jezebel	Spotted Jezebel See Jezebel Nymph (Mynes geoffroyi) in the Nymphs section	Several Mistletoe species	Retain trees with Mistletoe Display red and yellow colours when wings folded Underside is black and white
© Ed Frazer	Small Grass-yellow (m & f) 33mm Eurima smilax	See Large Grass-yellow	Cassia spp Senna spp	Grass-yellows are easily recognised by their size and colour but individual species are difficult to identify in the field
© Ed Frazer	Southern Pearl-white (m) 38mm Elodina angulipennis Common Pearl-white	Narrow-winged Pearl-white	Capparis arborea C. velutina	Plant Caper Bush (Capparis arborea)
© Ed Frazer	Southern Pearl-white (f) 38mm Elodina angulipennis Common Pearl-white	Narrow-winged Pearl-white	Capparis arborea C. velutina	Plant Caper Bush (Capparis arborea)
© Ed Frazer	Yellow Albatross (m) 53mm Appias paulina Common Albatross	See Cabbage White	Drypetes deplanchei	Plant Yellow Tulip (Drypetes deplanchei)
© Ed Frazer	Yellow Albatross (f) 53mm Appias paulina Common Albatross	See Caper Gull	Drypetes deplanchei	Female is very similar to the Caper Gull
© Dale Borgelt	Yellow Migrant (m & f) 56mm Catopsilia gorgophone	See Lemon Migrant	Senna spp	Yellow Migrant has white upper forewing This species has re-established in the Catchment in recent years, especially in the Gap Creek Road area
3. NYMPHS (Nymphalidae)
Species	Common name and size Scientific name Other names	Similar species also found in the catchment	Host plants (caterpillar)	Notes and recommended plantings
© Ed Frazer © Ed Frazer	Australian Painted Lady (m & f) 43mm Vanessa kershawi	None	Chrysocephalum apiculatum Helichrysum apicualtum	Plant everlasting Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum) Very common
© Ed Frazer	Blue Tiger (m & f) 72mm Tirumala hamata	None	Secamone elliptica	Plant Cork Vine (Secamone elliptica) Large migrations of the species occur in some years In other years is it not common in the Catchment
© Ed Frazer © Dale Borgelt	Border Rustic (m & f) 53mm Cupha prospe	None	Scolopia braunii	Not a common species in the Catchment but has made a comeback with the planting of the Flintwood Tree (Scolopia braunii) on several properties
© Ed Frazer	Brown Ringlet (m & f) 31mm Hypocysta metirius Common Ringlet	See Grey Ringlet See Orange-streaked Ringlet	Cynodon dactylon Oplismenus hirtellus Ottochloa gracillima	Green Couch (Cynodon dactylon) is widespread in the catchment so no planting is needed
© Ed Frazer	Common Crow (m & f) 72mm Euploea core Oleander Butterfly	See Crow Moth See White-banded Plane	Carrisa ovata Ficus rubiginosa Ficus virens Marsdenia fraseri Parsonsia brisbanensis P. straminea Secamone elliptica	Recommended plants: Currant Bush (Carissa ovata) Rock Fig (Ficus rubiginosa) White Fig (Ficus virens) Very common and adapted to introduced Apocynaceae (Oleanders and Frangipani)
© Dale Borgelt © Ed Frazer	Evening Brown (m & f) 63mm Melanitis leda	See Leafwing	Themeda triandra	Plant Sedges (Carex spp) in damp areas Some C. appressa varieties are suitable in drier areas Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) is a perennial tussock and can be grown from seed The Evening Brown lies in the leaf litter during daytime and is well camouflaged If disturbed it flies a short distance and then settles
© Ed Frazer	Glasswing (m & f) 56mm Acraea andromacha Little Greasy Small Greasy	See Clearwing Swallowtail	Passiflora aurantia P. herbertiana Afrohybanthus stellarioides	Fly continuously just above the ground Caterpillars feed on exotic passionfruit
© Ed Frazer	Grey Ringlet (m & f) 31mm Hypocysta pseudirius Dingy Ringlet	See Brown Ringlet	Themeda triandra	Lays eggs on Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)
© Dale Borgelt	Jezebel Nymph (m & f) 57mm Mynes geoffroyi guerini White Nymph	Black and Red-banded Jezebels	Dendrocnide photinophylla Pipturus argenteus	Plant Native Mulberry (Pipturus argenteus) Often found along streams
© Dale Borgelt	Leafwing (m & f) 65mm Doleschallia bisaltide Australian Leafwing	See Evening Brown	Brunoniella spp Pseuderanthemum variabile	Plant Love Flower (Pseuderanthemum variabile), a ground cover from the African Violet family
© Ed Frazer	Lesser Wanderer (m & f) 60mm Danaus chrysippus petilia	See Monarch Daniad Eggfly	Tylophora grandiflora Gomphocarpus physocarpus	Thrives on the exotic Swan Plant (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) and introduced milkweeds
© Ed Frazer	Meadow Argus (m & f) 43mm Junonia villida calybe	None	Goodenia rotundifolia Plantago spp Verbena spp	Does well on a number of introduced garden plants and weeds so no need for further planting of host plants
© Ed Frazer	Monarch (m & f) 93mm Danaus plexippus Wanderer Butterfly Milkweed Butterfly	See Lesser Wanderer	Gomphocarpus fruticosus Gomphocarpus physocarpus Asclepias curassavica	Breeds on Swan Plant (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) and Milkweeds introduced into Australia
© Ed Frazer	Orange-streaked Ringlet 35mm Hypocysta irius Northern Ringlet	See Orange Ringlet below	Grasses	Found in grassed areas adjacent to forest Has larger eyespots than other Ringlets
© Ed Frazer	Orange Ringlet (m & f) 30mm Hypocysta adiante Dusky-bordered Ringlet	See Orange-streaked Ringlet above	Themeda triandra	Plant Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) and other grasses
© Ed Frazer	Purple Crow (m & f) 60mm Euploea tulliolus Eastern Brown Crow	None	Trophus scandens subsp scandens	Plant Burny Vine (Trophus scandens), a large woody climber from the fig family with red edible fruit
© Ed Frazer	Tailed Emperor (m & f) 85mm Polyura sempronius Four-tail	None	Mostly Mimosaceae and Caesalpiniaceae Brachychiton Celtis spp.	Caterpillars feed on a wide range of plants but favour Wattles, Cassias and Sennas Very large butterfly that looks more like a Swallowtail than a Nymph Widespread but not common
Gender indeterminate © Ed Frazer Male © Ed Frazer	Varied Eggfly (m) 76mm Hypolimnas bolina Common Eggfly	Daniad Eggfly (m) outerside view	Alternanthera denticulata Pseuderanthemum variabile Sida spp Hygrophila angustifolia	Plenty of host food in the area so no need for plantings Male smaller and differs substantially from female Males establish territories on edge of bush close to larval food plants
Female © Ed Frazer	Varied Eggfly (f) 86mm Hypolimnas bolina Common Eggfly	Daniad Eggfly (m) underside view		Females usually found flying near food plants
© Ed Frazer	White-banded Plane (m & f) 57mm Phaedyma shepherdi Common Aeroplane	See Common Crow See Crow Moth	Aphananthe philippinensis Brachychiton acerifolius Celtis paniculata Ehretia acuminata	Recommended plants: Native Elm (Aphananthe philippinensis) Illawarra Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius) For a smaller tree use Native Celtis (Celtis paniculata) Distinctive gliding flight
© Ed Frazer © Ed Frazer	Yellow Admiral (m & f) 50mm Vanessa itea Australian Admiral	None	Pipturus argenteus Urtica incisa	Plant Native Mulberry (Pipturus argenteus) Found around creeks and damp slopes Also frequently found heads down on rocks or trees in forested areas
4. BLUES (Lycaenidae), SKIPPERS (Hesperiidae) and MOTHS
Species	Common name and size Scientific name Other names	Similar species also found in the catchment	Host plants (caterpillar)	Notes and recommended planting
BLUES
© Ed Frazer	Cycad Blue (m & f) 24mm Theclinesthes onycha	Wattle Blue (Theclinesthes miskini)	Macrozamia spp and exotic Cycads	Feeds on the newly emerged leaves of a wide range of cycadsQuite destructiveLarvae occasionally attended by antsHint: if Cycad Blue caterpillars are destroying fresh shoots on your garden cycads, check the new fronds daily and scrape the eggs off with your fingernail. For more hints about control see Annette McFarland’s gardening website
© Ed Frazer	Common Grass Blue (m & f) 23mm Zizina labradus Common Blue	Spotted Grass-Blue	Wide range of legumes including garden beans and lucerne	Larvae occasionally attended by ants
© Ed Frazer	Common Pencilled-Blue (f) 31mm Candalides absimilis Pencil Blue	Dark Pencil-Blue	Alectryon coriaceus A. subcinerus Atalaya salicifolia Brachychiton acerifolius B. populneus Callerya megasperma Cupaniopsis anacardioides Flagellaria indica Harpullia pendula Macadamia spp	Caterpillars eat a wide range of plants including: Wild Quince (A coriaceus) Flame Tree (B. acerifolius) Kurrajong (B. populneus) Native Wisteria (C. megasperma) Both species of Queensland nut (Macadamia spp)
© Ed Frazer	Indigo Flash Rapala varuna	None	Alectron tomentosus Alphitonia excelsa Cupaniopsis anacaroides Jagera pseudorhus	Feeds on flowers and flower buds and a wide range of plants including Foam Bark (Jagera pseudorhus) and Lychees (Litchi chinensis)
© Ed Frazer	Plumbago Blue 23mm Leptotes plinius Zebra Blue Plumbago Argus	None	Plumbago zelanica	Garden plumbagos are also host plants
© Ed Frazer © Ed Frazer	Small Dusky-blue 22mm Candalides erinus	See Varied Dusky-blue	Cassytha filiformus	Dodder Laurel (Cassytha filiformis) is a parasitic vine that can smother plants It has small fruit that is eaten by Mistletoebirds
© Dale Borgelt	Small Green-banded Blue (m) 30mm Psychonotis caelius	None	Alphitonia excelsa	Plant Red Ash (also known as Soap Tree) (Alphitonia excelsa) Found in wet shady areas
© Ed Frazer	Varied Dusky-blue 28mm Candalides hyacinthina Common Dusky-blue	See Small Dusky-blue	Cassytha spp.	Dodder Laurel (Cassytha fiiformis), recorded in the MCC, is a hemiparasitic vine and probably the local host of this species
© Ed Frazer	Purple Moonbeam; Size M 28mm F 30mm; Scientific Name Philiris innotata; Common Moonbeam	None	Sandpaper fig (Ficus coronata).	Adult butterflies are not easily observed, spending much of their time high in the canopy, but damage on the undersides of the leaves of the sandpaper fig often betrays the presence of the larvae.
© Ed Frazer	Hairy Line-blue Erysichton palmyra 22mm (f)	Marbled Line-blue		Habitat Rainforest Edges Larval Food plants flowers of Macadamia Syzigium Status common but local
SKIPPERS (Hesperiidae)
© Ed Frazer	Dingy Grass-skipper 30mm Taxidia peron Large Dingy-skipper	Other Grass-skippers	Various grasses	Found in the same long grass areas as the Grass-darts but much larger and less colourful
© Ed Frazer	Narrow-brand Grass-dart (m & f) 15mm	See Wide-brand Grass-dart	Grasses	Very small species found in open grass areas adjacent to Eucalypt forest
© Ed Frazer	Pale Orange Darter 29mm Telicota colon Pale Darter	Southern Sedge-darter	Panicum Phragmites Sorghum	Larger than the Grass-darts Upper-side wings lighter
Male © Ed Frazer	Splendid Ochre (m) 38mm Trapezites symmomus Symmomus Ochre	Ochres	Lomandra longifolia	Plant Spiny-headed Mat Rush (Lomandra longifolia) Much larger than most other Skippers
Female © Ed Frazer	Splendid Ochre (f) 38mm Trapezites symmomus Symmomus Ochre	Ochres	Lomandra longifolia
© Ed Frazer	Wide-brand Grass-dart (m) 22mm Suniana sunias Orange Dart	Dark Grass-dart	Megathyrsus maximus	Found in open Eucalypt forest particularly in areas of long uncut grasses
© Ed Frazer	White-banded Grass-dart (m & f) 20mm Taractrocera papyria White Grass-dart	Large Yellow Grass-dart No-brand Grass-dart	Carex polyantha Cynodon dactylon Imperata cylindrica Microlaena stipoides Poa labillardieri	Found in areas of Bladey Grass, Couch, Tussock Grass and Sedges
MOTHS (Butterfly mimics and day-flying species)
© Ed Frazer	Anthela sp. 70cm	Several similar species	Unknown	Night flying Adult does not feed Caterpillar is hairy
© Ed Frazer	Arch Moth (m & f) 60mm Bracca matutinata	Not known	Has a resemblance to the endangered Laced Fritillary Butterfly, which also has many black spots. Caterpillars are very colourful. Night flying but found during the day in dull weather in rainforest
© Ed Frazer	Crow Moth (m & f) 45mm Cruria donowani	See Common Crow Butterfly	Hibbertia obtusifolia	Black, brown and green caterpillar feeds on Guinea Flower (Hibbertia obtusifolia) Mimics the Crow Butterfly Day flyer
© Ed Frazer	Heliotrope Moth (m & f) 40mm Utetheisa pulchelloides Salt and Pepper Moth	None	Echium plantagineum Heliotropium eurpaeum	Feeds on Patterson’s Curse (E. plantagineum), Heliotrope and several other Boraginaceae plants from which it obtains poisons Day and night flying moth which looks like a butterfly when in flight Migrates extensively, even to New Zealand
© Ed Frazer © Ed Frazer	Joseph’s Coat Moth (f) 70mm Agarista agricola Painted Vine Moth	None	Clematicissus opaca Cayratia clematidea	Caterpillars are black and white with two yellow bands
© Ed Frazer	Magpie Moth Nyctemera sp.	Several similar species	Crassocephalum crepidiodes	Black-banded caterpillar feeds on Fireweed (C. crepidiodes) Wasp mimic Day flyer
© Ed Frazer	Magpie Moth Nyctemera secundiana	Crassocephalum crepidiodes	Larvae feed on Fireweed (C. crepidiodes) Day flyer
© Ed Frazer	Orange-Spotted Tiger Moth 30mm Ceryx guttulosa	None	Lichens	Mimics wasps Found in Eucalypt woodlands and gardens Caterpillars covered in dense black hairs Day flyer
© Ed Frazer	Rectangular-striped Noctuid Moth Grammodes justa	Unknown	Found in daylight in grassy areas
© Ed Frazer	White-banded Noctuid Moth (m & f) 70mm	None	Unknown	Adult moths attracted to rotten fruit Common Night flyer
© Ed Frazer	Yellow-spotted Tiger Moth 60mm Agape chloropyga	None	Ficus spp.	Grey caterpillar with fine hairs

Return to Catchment Field Guides

Moggill Creek

Catchment Group