Butterflies were the star attraction last summer – their variety and abundance the result of an amazing wet period. This year has been very different, with few butterflies gracing us with their presence. It was a nice surprise then to come across one late today near Welshman’s Reef – this ‘azure’ butterfly was spotted hanging around a clump of mistletoe attached to a Grey Box, on Gough’s Range Road.
One of the 'azures' Ogyris sp . found on Gough's Range Road, 21st February 2012.
I’m not certain which species it is (suggestions welcome) but it belongs to the Ogyris genus, of which a number can be found locally, some are rare and endangered. As usual when faced with a new butterfly I consulted the Museum of Victoria butterfly database - a great resource for the interested amateur like myself. My best guess is that it may be a Large Bronze Azure Ogyris idmo halmaturia but I would appreciate anyone helping confirm the identity*.
* Thanks to Chris Timewell for correctly identifying it as a Broad-margined Azure Ogyris olane
The Ogyris genus generally uses Mistletoe as a food plant.
Ogyris butterflies have a fascinating and complex life history – the larvae feed on plants in the Loranthaceae family such as this Box Mistletoe Amyema miquelii, but are also believed to feed on ant larvae such as those from the Campanotus or ‘sugar -ant’ group. There is some great information on butterfly-plant-ant associations at the South Australian Butterflies and Moths website.
Geoff Park
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Using Braby’s Field Guide to Australian Butterflies, I would guess that it’s probably a Broad-margined Azure (Ogyris olane). The book says they readily feed from flowers of the Box Mistletoe Amyema miquelii in late summer and autumn (but so do many of the Ogyris). It would be unlikely that we would get the Large Bronze Azure (Ogyris idma halmaturia) here, as I understand they are a very threatened subspecies only known to occur in the Wimmera district. I think there have been only one or two records of this latter species in the last few decades. But happy to hear suggestions from others as well.
Hi Chris – many thanks for what looks like a very sensible conclusion. I am motivated now to get some more photographs!
Cheers, geoff