Memoirs of the Museum of Victoria 56(2):449-453 ( 1997) 28 February 1997 https://doi.org/10.24199/j.mmv.1997.56.37 THE THREATENED RICHMOND ( RICHMOND/A [GRAY]): A COMMUNITY CONSERVATION PROJECT

1 D.P.A. SANDS , S.E. SCOTT2 AND R. MOFFATT.l 1 CSIRO, D_ivision of En_tomology, Priyate Bag No. 3, lndooroopilly, Qld 4068, 0 - CSlRO, S':1ence Education C�ntre, Pnv!lte Bag No. 3, Indooroopilly, Qld 4068, Australia ·1 NSW National Parks and W1ldhfe Service, PO Box 91, Alstonville NSW 2477, Australia

Abstract Sands, D.P.A .. Scott, S.E. and Moffat, R., 1997. The threatened Richmond birdwing but­ terfly( [Gray]): a community conservation project. Memoirs o_f1he Museum o_(Victoria 56: 449-453. Destruction of coastal rainforests in south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales has led to extinction of 0. richmondia from two-thirds of its original range and a sharp decline in surviving populations. The is further threatened by depletion of t he butterfly'slowland foodplant, Pararistolochia praevenosa, and by presence and spread of the Dutchman's Pipe vine, e/egans, which attracts oviposition but the are toxic to larvae when they attempt to feed. Originally from South America, Dutchman's Pipe has spread from garden cultivation into national parks and reserves. Above 800 m on the Queensland/NSW Border Ranges, P. laheyana, also supports birdwing larvae. However, these populations are subject to periodic extinctions, probably due to climatic stress at the higher altitudes where re-colonisation is thought to be dependent on immigrants from low­ land populations. Community groups and state national parks authorities are participating in projects to conserve the Richmond birdwing butterfly. The CSIRO's Double Helix Sci­ ence Club is co-ordinating studies on P. praevenosa by students at more than 130 schools, where growth and phenology of 12 vines at each school are being monitored to understand the butterfly'shost interactions. Aspects of biology of the butterflyand its food and strategies which have a bearing on its conservation are discussed.

Introduction following drought also leads to reduced size in the developing individuals. In males, the green The Richmond birdwing butterfly, Ornithoptera and the gold spots on the upperside of 0. rich­ richmondia (Gray) has been sometimes treated mondia are more restricted than in 0. euphorion as a subspecies of t he widely distributed, tropical and variable in extent. Haugum and Low ( 1978- 0. priamus (Linn.) (Haugum and Low, 1978- 1979) described richmondia reducta, with areas 1979), or as a distinct species (Zeuner, 1943; of green further reduced, from Grafton and else­ D'Abrera, 1975; Common and Waterhouse, where. However, this variation is not confined 198 l) based on its distribution, differences in to the southern range of 0. richmondia indi­ the male genitalia and sterility of offspringwhen cating that reducta is not a valid subspecies. A hybridised with 0. euphorion (Gray). However, blue male of 0. rid11nondia has been sighted (B. recent reports (A. Hiller, pers. comm.) indicate Davies, pers. comm.), a rare colour form also that these hybrids are not always sterile. Han­ known in 0. euphorion (R. Magarey, pers. cock ( 1983) placed 0. richmondia in a priamus comm.). Blue males which superficially species-group in the genus Troides Hubner, sub­ resemble 0. priamus urvillianus Guerin­ genus Ornithoptera, but subsequently (Hancock, Meneville from New Ireland and the Solomon 199 I) validated Ornithoptera as a separate Islands, result from an unusual distribution of genus. the blue and gold scales present in males. Adults of both sexes are similar to 0. The abundance and distribution of 0. rich­ euphorion, although 0. richmondia is smaller mondia have declined since the turn of the cen­ (wingspan of males c. 12-14 cm; females c. I 4- tury (Illidge. 1927) following destruction of 16 cm). Adults emerging in spring are often subtropical rainforest supporting Pararistolo­ smaller than those emerging in summer and chia praevenosa (F. Muell.) M.J. Parsons (Aris­ autumn (Common and Waterhouse, 1981), a tolochiaceae), the principal food plant for its characteristic attributable to loss of mass in the larvae. Originally distributed from Marybor­ overwintering . Poor quality of food plants ough, south-eastern Queensland to Grafton.

449 450 D.P.A. SANDS ET AL.

terfly has become rare near (Illidge, 1927) where the food plants supporting the last breeding colonies were destroyed in the late 1980s. Occasionally ranging adults are seen and larvae have been recently observed on culti vated P. praevenosa close to Brisbane and at Mount Glorious (A. Hiller, pers. comm.). The last sight- ings of O. richmondia near Grafton, NSW were made at Susan Island about 45 years ago (J. Seymour/D. Landenberger, pers. comm). The food plant vines are referred to the genera Aris- tolochia and Pararistolochia, following revision of the Australian by Parsons (1996).

Seasonality, biology and ecology

Omithoptera richmondia is polyvoltine near the coast, adults appearing from late August until May but they are most abundant from Septem- ber to November and February to April. Near Beewah, Queensland occasional sightings have been made in June and July (A. Powter, pers. comm.). At higher altitudes the species is uni- voltine with adults mostly appearing from Nov- ember to February. In favourable years large numbers of adults migrate from the higher alti- tudes to the lowlands. Such phenomena were observed near Christmas Creek, Queensland in January 1994 and 1995 (M. Houston, pers. comm.) and at Limpinwood, NSW in January 1994 (N. Hepburn, pers. comm.). Figure 1. Map showing the distribution (shaded) of Omithoptera richmondia in 1995. The immature stages of O. richmondia were described by Common and Waterhouse (1981). north-eastern New South Wales (Haugum and The pale yellow eggs (diameter 2.3 mm x 2.0 mm Low, 1978-1979), the vine and sustained breed- deep, n = 4) are deposited usually singly on the ing colonies of O. richmondia have become underside of mature leaves of the food plant but extinct from about two thirds of the former occasionally on stems or other plants supporting northern, central and central parts of its range the vines. Occasionally two or more may be (Fig. 1). In south-eastern Queensland O. rich- deposited on preferred leaves but once 1 3 eggs mondia still occurs locally from Yandina to Mt were seen on a single of P. laheyana. Young Mee and from Mount Tamborine to the NSW foliage utilised by 1st instar larvae is avoided by border. An isolated pocket has been observed the ovipositing female. Eggs hatch in 9-1 3 days. near Kin Kin. In NSW, the species occurs from After hatching larvae consume most of their egg- Wardell to the Queensland border wherever P. shell and search (up to 2 days) for leaves of praevenosa survives in littoral and lowland rain- appropriate toughness. Instars 1-3 are black or forest remnants. On the Border and Nightcap dark purplish-brown with fleshy black spines on Ranges, O. richmondia is abundant in the sum- all segments except segment 4, which are bright mer months most years where larvae feed on P. yellow. Fourth and fifth instars may vary from laheyana (F.M. Bailey) M.J. Parsons. A single black, brown through to creamish-grey, often female was once sighted near Coffs Harbour (R. with cream fleshy spines on segment 4. There are Davis, pers. comm.) and one at Toowoomba (J. usually five instars or occasionally six when the Macqueen, pers. comm.) in the 1960s but the nutritional quality of leaves utilised is low. The food plants are not known from these areas. duration of larval development ranges from 27- O. richmondia was last seen near 46 days (n = 23). However, low nutritional qual- Heads in 1 959 and at Rainbow Beach and Noosa ity of the food plant may also protract the rate of about 1984 (unpubl.). Since the 1920s the but- development of larvae. During ecdysis, larvae THE THREATENED RICHMOND BIRDW1NG BUTTERFLY 451

spin a silken pad beneath a leaf of the food plant vine may ascend 20 m into the rainforest i or other plant nearby and become torpid for 2-3 canopy. Large vines branch close to ground • days. level, producing somewhat flattened mature Larvae usually leave the food plant to pupate. stems bearing widely-spaced nodes with alter- They select the underside of a leaf (e.g., Wilkiea nate leaves. On older plants stems sometimes spp., Ficus coronata Spin) over which they spin a emerge horizontally and layer, developing large silken pad and strengthen the petiole with clumps of vines which climb vertically. Stems silk to prevent dislodgment during the protrac- may be 1-2 cm in diameter, frequently fusing ted pupal phase. Pupae are attached by a cre- with other ascending stems. The bark has a dis- master and silken girdle and unlike other species tinctive raised, slender reticulated pattern which in the genus, are bright green with yellow mark- is easily recognisable at ground level. Vines grow ings (Common and Waterhouse, 1981) and have throughout the year particularly after rain, the an overwintering pupal . In coastal autumn and winter growth avoiding attack by populations most larvae pupating after the last the larvae of O. richmondia. The tough, lanceo- week of January enter diapause and emerge in late (base slightly cordate) leaf forms with spring (127-275 days, n = 8) while larvae twisted petioles are variable in size, those from pupating in spring or early summer months alluvial soils tending to have smaller, narrower emerge within 32-40 days without entering dia- leaves (c.16 X 6 cm) than those from basaltic pause. soils (> c. 22 X 10 cm). The flowers (September- Eggs of O. richmondia are preyed upon by November) are pollinated by midges (Forcipo- several species of ants including Iridomyrmex myia spp.: Ceratopogonidae; G. Monteith, pers. glaber (Mayr) and Pheidole megacephala (Fab.) comm.). The orange fruit when ripe (March- an assassin bug (Reduviidae) and the predatory April) fall intact to the ground where they are bug, Oechalia schellenbergia (Guerin). They are dispersed by ground birds, particularly brush especially susceptible to desiccation during turkeys. Seeds are macerated and some buried periods of drought. Natural enemies of larvae by the feeding birds which results in the germi-

(mainly instars 1 -4) include spiders, the bull ant, nation of clusters of seedlings. vertical growth of P. praevenosa I Myrmecia gulosa (Fab.), the jumper ant, M. Understorey nigrocincta F. Smith, the soldier beetle, bearing young leaves is selected by ovipositing Chauliognathus atricornis (Lea)(Cantharidae) females and preferred by larvae while tall and viruses. Cannibalism amongst larvae canopy growth is less frequently utilised. How- (mainly instars 1-4) of O. richmondia during ever, the quality of soft foliage of P. praevenosa ecdysis is a major mortality factor. The pupae acceptable to newly-eclosed larvae is limited are occasionally attacked by unidentified hyme- since they exclusively require young, soft leaves nopterous parasitoids and when in diapause are near the apex of an actively growing vine. Even subject to desiccation when accompanied by young leaves at the 6-8th node from the apex very low temperatures. A pied currawong was may be too tough to support feeding. While late observed to peck a pupa but failed to eat it. 2nd and later instars will consume the firmer I Adults are sometimes trapped in spiders webs leaves, flowers, seeds and softer stems, 1st instar but are rarely attacked by other predators larvae survive only on sub-apical, expanding tip. including birds (e.g., noisy pitta). leaves and avoid the pubescent growing On At high altitudes on the Border Ranges extinc- P. praevenosa when soft foliage is limited, larvae others tions occur in some years, thought to result from of O. richmondia prey on undergoing desiccation and extremely low temperatures. ecdysis. Rarely will more than two larvae share These extinctions occur about every 3-7 years leaves on the same stem without attacking one are also susceptible to canni- after which recolonisation is dependent on another. The pupae immigration from lowland populations. balism when larvae are deprived of sufficient soft foliage. Experiments were carried out to determine of O. richmondia Food plants the toughness of leaves of P. praevenosa, accept- newly-eclosed larvae of O. richmondia. Pararistolochia praevenosa is a locally-distrib- able to held in organza sleeves with leaves uted vine in lowland, subtropical rainforest (< Larvae were selected with progressively 600 m) on basaltic slopes, creek banks, or on attached to plants, toughness using a leaf penetrometer volcanic alluvial soils bordering rivers and increasing Sands and Brancatini (1991). streams. Occasionally A. praevenosa occurs in described by showed that leaves exceed- sand dune loams overlying volcanic soils. The These experiments 452 D.P.A, SANDS ET AL

ing a toughness (force) of 0.23 newtons/mm 2 conservation efforts. At Coolum, the northern were too tough for first instar larvae and they coastal limit on the Sunshine Coast, a breeding starved without feeding. Thus, leaf toughness of site was recently threatened by home unit devel- P. praevenosa appears to contribute significantly opment while another colony on the Nerang to survival and abundance of O. richmondia. River may now be safe after intensive lobbying Leaf toughness of P. praevenosa was estimated by a local conservation group. Pressures on to account for 85% of starvation by first instar populations from collectors of adult O. richmon- larvae (n=183) between 1986 and 1988 at a dia are negligible, provided that many immature breeding site. stages are not removed from breeding sites. In montane rainforest above 800 m, on the Bushfires destroyed several sites during Novem- NSW, Queensland Border Ranges, larvae of O. ber 1994 in an exceptionally dry season. richmondia feed on P. laheyana. This plant The ornamental Dutchman's Pipe vine, Aris- occurs as an understorey vine on basaltic ridge tolochia elegans Mast., originally from South tops and occasionally slopes where it is much America, attracts oviposition by O. richmondia less robust than P. praevenosa. P. laheyana is a but it is poisonous to the early instar larvae when horizontal, as well as vertical climber rarely they attempt to feed on its leaves (Straatman, ascending more than 4 m. The smooth and slen- 1962). This vine has escaped cultivation to der stems (c. < 0.8 cm) frequently branch and become a weed in forestry reserves, national bear small (c. 12x4 cm) leaves which are softer parks and many of the riverine habitats pre- than P. praevenosa and most young growth is viously occupied by P. praevenosa. Egg counts acceptable to first instar larvae. As larvae made on both A. elegans and P. praevenosa in mature, leaves and the softer stems of P. Burleigh Heads National Park showed a marked laheyana may be consumed. Sometimes plants preference for the exotic species by the oviposit- may be rendered leafless by gregarious larvae ing . Between 198 land 1992 counts but they rapidly respond with growth when lar- showed that eight times more eggs (n = 486) vae are not present. Thus the equivalent biomass were deposited on A. elegans than on P. praeve- of/', laheyana has a greater carrying capacity for nosa. Most larvae attempting to feed on A. larvae than P. praevenosa, a factor believed to elegans died in the first instar but a few reached explain the greater abundance often observed at third instar. Fortunately the Dutchman's Pipe higher altitudes. vine is easily eradicated. Over the last two sum- The larvae of O. richmondia will develop mers an officer working in Burleigh Heads when fed from eclosion, on National Park has successfully controlled the Chamisso, a food plant for O. euphorion and sev- vine, encouraging other authorities and com- eral other birdwing butterflies Jebb (1993). munity groups to undertake similar eradication However, eggs deposited on young leaves of this programs. Widespread media publicity against vine frequently fail to eclose. At the site of con- growing and selling the vine has generally led to tact on a leaf, a raised necrotic patch of tissue its removal from suburban gardens. develops, indicating a reaction by the plant to The conservation status of the Richmond the its egg or accompanying secretions. birdwing is considered 'vulnerable' (IUCN cat- Adult O. richmondia visit the flowers on many egory), although not previously classified by different plants to gather nectar, preferring Collins and Morris (1985). A conservation strat- white red and blooms. Ornithoptera spp. and egy for the butterfly is underway based on culti- Delias spp. (Pieridae), comprise two of the few vation of P. praevenosa in gardens, environmen- butterfly genera that visit flowers of red bottle- tal reserves and schools. The project began in brush (Callistemon spp.). Native flowers 1992, sponsored by the NSW National Parks favoured include Syzygium spp., Eucalyptus and Wildlife Service. Balunyah Nursery at spp., Lophostemon con)ertus(R. Br.) Wilson and Coraki, NSW were provided with seedlings, cut- Waterhouse, Flagellaria indica L., Melicope elle- tings and seeds of P. praevenosa enabling them ryana (F. Muell.) T. Hartley, Alloxylon pinnata to develop stocks of for distribution to other nur- (Maiden and Betche) and Grevillea spp. as well series. To date more than 15 000 vines have as many exotic species. been distributed to retailers and community groups participating in the program. Com- munity Conservation program participation expanded rapidly and in 1993 CSlRO's Science Education Program, the Many fragile breeding habitats for O. richmon- Double Helix Club was approached to co-ordi- dia continue to be destroyed despite community nate the projects. By combining the scientific THE THREATENED RICHMOND BIRDWING BUTTERFLY 453 and education expertise of officers from both mens, to John Lawrence, CS1RO, Canberra for Organisations, students began to participate in identifying the cantharid predator and to Radio research and the conservation program. 4BH for sponsorship of the leaf penetrometer. The success of the program is reflected by the magnitude of community involvement. More References than 1 30 schools between Grafton and Marybor- Collins, N.M. and Morris, M.G., 1985. Threatened ough are currently involved in the project. Each swallowtail butterflies ofthe world. The IUCN red school has planted 12 vines which will sup- data book. IUCN Gland, Switzerland. plement the diminishing wild food plants and Common, l.F.B. and Waterhouse, D.F., 1981. Butter- provide breeding corridors for areas without flies ofAustralia. Angus and Robertson: Sydney. vines. Temperatures, rainfall and growth par- D'Abrera, B., 1975. Birdwing butterflies of the World. ameters of the vines are being measured as part Lansdowne Press: Melbourne. of the coordinated Double Helix Club program. Hancock, D.L., 1983. Classification of the Papiliodi- Schools will be evaluating a new leaf penetrom- dae (): a phylogenetic approach. Smithersia 2: 1-48 [National eter, conducting experiments on the vines, and Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe]. collecting and identifying pollinators Hancock, D.L., 1991. Notes on the phylogeny and bio- from the flowers of Pararistolochia spp.. They geography of Ornithoptera Boisduval (Lepidop- assist with locating Dutchman's Pipe in bush- tera: Papilionidae). Tyo to Ga 42: 17-36. land and provide community awareness and Haugum, J. and Low, A.M.., 1978- 1979. A monograph for advice removal of the vine from cultivation ofthe birdwing butterflies. Vol. 1 (2). Scandanav- when it threatens the progeny of ovipositing O, ian Science Press: Klampenborg. richmondia. As well as educating for conser- Illidge, R., 1927. Brisbane butterflies of the family vation, they are encouraging cultivation of P. Papilionidae. Series II. Queensland Naturalist 6: 33-39. praevenosa and have developed a strong sense of Jebb, M., 1993. Aristolochia in New Guinea. Unpub- ownership towards protecting the butterfly. lished guide, Christensen Research Institute: Dispersing female O. richmondia have ovipo- Madang, Papua New Guinea. 51 pp. sited on cultivated vines at Alstonville, near Parsons, M.J., 1996. New species of Aristolochia and Brisbane and at Beerwah, where urban environ- Pararistolochia (Aristolochiaccac) from Australia ments do not appear to inhibit re-establishment and New Guinea. Botanical Journal of the Lin- of the butterflies. Queensland's first butterfly nean Society. 120: 199-238. habitat reserve for the Richmond birdwing was Sands, D.P.A. and Brancatini, V.A., 1991. A portable penetrometer for measuring leaf toughness in designated at the Stanley River Rehabilitation insect herbivory studies. Proceedings the Ento- Project, by the Queensland Department of Pri- of mological Society of Washington 93: 786-788. mary Industry and a Land Care group. The Straatman, R., 1962. Notes on certain Lepidoptera South Bank Corporation in the heart of Bris- ovipositing on plants which are toxic to their lar- bane, has nominated 'Butterfly Island' for vae. Journal of the Lepidopterists Society 1 6: 99- student and public education and planted the 103. island with 30 P. praevenosa. Zeuner, F.E., 1943. Studies on the systematics of Troides Hubner (Lepidoptera Papilionidae) and Acknowledgements its allies; distribution and phylogeny in relation to the geological history of the Australasian archipel- We are grateful to Anne Garton and Estelle Ross ago. Transactions of the Zoological Society of for their contributions, to Tony Hiller for speci- London 25: 107-184.