BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY

OUR NATURE:

1 Backyard Biodiversity ECOSYSTEMS DIVERSITY ECOSYSTEMS

The Gold Coast is one of Essential for a healthy planet the most biodiverse cities in .

Our native and wildlife are essential to our environmental, social and economic health and wellbeing.

Backyards are an important part of the Gold Coast’s natural landscape with

more than half of the SPECIES DIVERSITY city’s native vegetation

on private properties. Essential for healthy ecosystems

If you have a backyard, courtyard or a balcony you have the opportunity to support our native plants and by providing habitat for our diverse native wildlife. GENETIC DIVERSITY

Essential for healthy species 1 Threatened species

Biodiversity is reduced when species become extinct. and While the categories and specific definitions used differs between species which are at risk of extinction are known as threatened species. State and Federal legislation, in both cases the status indicates whether a species still exists and how likely it is to become extinct. Threatened species can be identified by their conservation status which is specified under both Federal [Environment Protection and Biodiversity Gold Coast Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)] and State [Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NC Act)] legislation. On the Gold Coast, species which are locally significant are known as City-wide significant (CWS) species. These species CWS A range of factors is used to assess a species’ conservation are important because they may be threatened, restricted to status including: the Gold Coast, or at the edge of their geographic range. • the number of individuals remaining You and your backyard can contribute to supporting threatened and • the overall increase or decrease in the population over time CWS species by creating and restoring habitat in your backyard. • breeding success rates and known threats. Throughout this booklet, Threatened, Near threatened and CWS species are identified using the symbols shown below. They are accurate at the time of printing.

Threatened species

MOST LIKELY TO LEAST LIKELY TO EXTINCT BECOME EXTINCT BECOME EXTINCT

EPBC Act Ex Wx CE E V CD

Extinct Extinct in Critically Endangered Vulnerable Conservation the wild endangered dependant

NC Act PE E V NT LC

Presumed extinct Endangered Vulnerable Near Least in the wild threatened concern

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 3 OUR NATURE: BUTTERFLIES

Everyone loves butterflies. Often brilliantly patterned and Australia is The Gold Coast is, coloured, they enhance our gardens, parks and bush – home to almost or has been, appearing like living flowers as they flit from plant to plant home to as many as searching for nectar. Some are familiar to everyone: the 400 170 robust orange and black Wanderer is active all year; the different species species of butterflies black and white Crow thrives on exotic plantings of butterflies of oleander; the tiny blues that flitter around every lawn; and the few species that eat things we’d rather they didn’t. Around the world, populations of many species have declined or even disappeared under the frantic pressure of urban development. Only a very few species, such as the Common Crow and Cycad Blue, have benefitted from The first meal Butterflies are closely linked to the human modifications of the environment and are now of a caterpillar is frequently its own relatively common in urban areas. HOST PLANTS EGGSHELL that their caterpillars eat.

Take action in your backyard • Protect and restore natural bushland. • Grow butterfly host plants. Some species • Grow nectar plants. of butterfly absorb Some species of butterfly • Maintain or create wet areas for ‘mud puddling’. POISONOUS • Avoid using pesticides. DEPEND ON ANTS chemicals from which look the plants on which after their caterpillars. their caterpillars feed. BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 5 Did you know?

About Butterflies is from the Greek words ‘lepidos’ meaning scale Butterflies and moths belong to the huge group of collectively and ‘pteron’ meaning wing. known as the Lepidoptera – that is insects that, as adults, have wings covered in overlapping scales. It is these scales that carry the bright and not so bright colours and patterns by which most of the 180,000 described species worldwide are distinguished.

Globally, butterflies range in size from just a few millimetres (our Tiny Grass Blue can lay claim to being among the very smallest with a wingspan of as little as 10mm) to the giant birdwings of New Guinea (the female Queen Alexandra Birdwing has a wingspan of up to 300mm). Our largest, locally occurring butterfly is the Richmond Birdwing, the females of which have a wingspan up to 120mm.

Many adult butterflies have different wing patterns between the sexes which, in the past, often led to them being identified as separate species. Examples include the Richmond Birdwing, the Orchard Swallowtail and the Common Eggfly. A few species have different colour forms in different seasons.

Almost always, the colours and patterns of a butterfly’s upper wings contrast with those on the underside. The colours of the upper wings are involved in mate recognition and signalling, whereas the underside colouration is often a matter of blending into the background when at rest. For several groups of butterflies, the patterns on the underside are the most useful feature for identifying the species.

The butterflies we see flying are the endpoint of a complex life-cycle that can span many months. Throughout this life cycle, the lives of butterflies are inextricably linked with plants: indeed, it is generally supposed that the butterflies and flowering plants evolved together, developments in one group impacting on the other, and vice-versa.

Evening Brown (Melanitis leda) BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 7 The life cycle Life cycle - White Nymph (Mynes geoffroyi) We are most familiar with adult butterflies. Adult butterflies are the Unlike many species of butterfly, the caterpillars and chrysalises of White fourth and final of the life stages through which each and every Nymphs are often found in groups. species of butterfly must pass.

Stage 1 – egg

Their lives begin as eggs deposited on plants by female adult butterflies after they have mated. These eggs are generally small, globular or ribbed and may be laid singly or in clusters. 1

Stage 2 – caterpillar (larva)

From the eggs emerge caterpillars (larvae) which generally are the longest stage of the ’s life. With just a very few exceptions 2 these caterpillars eat the of plants. Some species, like the Richmond Birdwing (Ornithoptera richmondia), have a highly 1 Female butterfly specialised diet and only one or two species of host plants will laying eggs do. For others, like the Common Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina) or 2 Caterpillars 3 Chrysalises Blue Triangle (Graphium sarpedon), a wide range of plant species 4 Adult butterfly are acceptable to the caterpillar – although these plants are often recently emerged from chrysalis closely related. The caterpillars grow dramatically during their lives, casting off their skins (moulting) to allow them to grow at least four times. With the last of these moults, the caterpillar shortens and 4 thickens before transforming into the third life stage, the chrysalis.

3

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 9 Stage 3 – Chrysalis (pupa) Ecological Role The chrysalis or pupa is perhaps the most remarkable of the four Butterflies, in all stages of their life cycle, play important roles in our stages. Butterflies and moths (like beetles, flies and bees) undergo ecosystems. Adult butterflies pollinate flowers. Their eggs and caterpillars a process known as complete metamorphosis. During the pupal are a vital part of ecosystem food chains, providing food resources for a stage, most of the tissues and cells of the larva break up and are wide range of predators and parasites including birds, dragonflies, wasps re-assembled into the dramatically different adult shape. It is within and spiders. the pupa that the butterfly’s wings develop. Caterpillars are particularly important. They are relentless eating Stage 4 – Butterfly machines, transforming the tissues of their host plants into body mass. After a few weeks or months, the chrysalis case splits and the adult Without plant eaters like caterpillars, the energy of the sun captured by butterfly emerges, its wings expanding, drying and hardening in plants would not be released to the wider world. Butterflies and moths the air. Adult butterflies need three things in life: energy resources are one of the principal groups of animals which make this release to fuel their flight – principally nectar from plants but sometimes happen and as a result they are a driver of ecosystems. This crucial role rotting fruit or even animal dung; they need water to prevent them is often overlooked when we try to prevent our plants at home from being desiccating (drying out) from the sun’s rays; and they need a mate. eaten – without that release of energy by caterpillars, our environment and its biodiversity is reduced. Most species mate only once and the male products are stored within the female ready to fertilise each egg when it is mature and Because butterflies are sensitive to changes in our climate and ready to be laid. There are a fascinating range of mechanisms by respond quickly to environmental stress, they are good indicators of an which males and females find each other, evaluate the ‘quality’ of ecosystem’s wellbeing. An abundance of butterflies usually indicates a the potential mate, and where males try to prevent others from healthier ecosystem. mating with the same female.

It is the female butterflies who seek out appropriate host plants and deposit mature eggs on or close to these plants.

SO THE LIFE CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN.

Black Jezebel ( nigrina) caterpillars feeding on mistletoe species

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 11 Butterflies and Ants Ants are usually considered to be very general predators mopping up anything in their path, alive or dead. However, for some blue butterflies in the family Lycaenidae, ants don’t prey on them, they work with them. These butterflies have evolved to allow ants to care for their caterpillars, protecting them from other predators like wasps and parasitic flies – and from other ants. In return, the caterpillars provide chemical and food rewards which the ants ‘milk’ from specially-evolved glands.

The Gold Coast is home to at least 24 species of butterfly that have evolved these mutualistic relationships with ants. Often this is with a very particular species of ant – and where that sort of ant isn’t present, then the butterfly is also likely to be absent from that location. Sometimes the relationship is casual, with just a few ants riding on the backs of the caterpillar: in other cases, it is so intense that it is easier to search on a plant for a mass of ants which will be completely covering a caterpillar, than to look for the caterpillar themselves.

In some cases these ant-friendly caterpillars shelter inside the ants’ nests. One small group of butterflies have totally turned the tables on the ants. They have become predatory on the ant larvae in the nest. One of our rarest Gold Coast butterflies, Illidge’s Ant Blue (Acrodipsas illidgei), is one of these predatory species.

Did you know?

A mutualistic relationship is where two different species have an ongoing, long term relationship which benefits both species. Large Purple Line-blue (Nacaduba berenice) larva feeding on the flowers of Hairy Alectryon (Alectryon tomentosus) with attendant ants BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 13 Distribution How far do they fly Butterflies are found on every continent except Antarctica, but they A few species fly long distances. Others don’t venture far from their are most abundant in the tropics. In Australia, the greatest diversity host plants. Some are highflyers and will be found in the canopy of is found in tropical north Queensland where many species thrive in trees where their host plants such as mistletoe or vines grow. Others the warm humid air of tropical rainforests. The Gold Coast is in an stick close to the ground amongst the grasses and legumes of the area where many butterflies typically found in north-eastern Australia understorey or open ground. and those found in south-eastern Australia converge, as a result our Some butterflies are considered to be migratory or irruptive (many butterfly diversity is also quite high. occurring together) with large numbers of butterflies moving together, Behaviour sometimes across long distances. These migrations facilitate widespread pollination which contribute to improved plant health and genetic Butterflies are cold blooded. This means that they must absorb diversity. Local migratory butterflies include: heat to become active. To absorb heat they often take up basking positions on plants, rocks or bare patches of soil. Conversely, if conditions become too hot they run the risk of drying up through dehydration and will rest in shady positions.

In South East Queensland, some species are active as adults all year round. Nevertheless, there are seasonal differences and only a few species will be encountered in the winter months. The arrival of spring sees the emergence of many more species which often then complete a further generation over the summer leading to a second, often larger, emergence in February and March. These Caper White Blue Tiger general patterns may change in times of environmental stress, such as during extended droughts. Breed in the drier inland with caterpillars Mass movements southwards each summer common on pepper bushes ( to seek nectar on flowering shrubs such spp.). In spring ‘excess’ adults, often in as paperbarks. Even though its larval food their thousands, move eastwards to coastal plant, the corky milk vine ( elliptica) regions and out to sea. occurs widely, it probably breeds only occasionally, if at all, in our region.

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 15 Butterflies of the Gold Coast Vegetation community - see map on page 41 for the historic distribution Exposed Coastal – Coastal dunes Rainforest – Complex dense forests EC RF The Gold Coast is, or has been, home to as many as 170 species of and rocky headlands. Typically typically with closed canopies and an dominated by grasses with wind shorn array of plant life which can include butterflies supported by the many vegetation communities found here. shrubs and trees (e.g. coastal banksias vines, mosses, ferns, palms, strangler Different butterflies occur from the tidal wetlands and swamp forests on and she-oaks) inland from the shore. figs and epiphytes. Tidal Wetlands – Mangrove, salt Montane – Occurs on mountains the coast, through the dry and wet eucalypt forests of the foothills and TW MT marsh and swamp oak vegetation either as heath communities on into the rainforests and montane heath of the mountains in the hinterland. communities associated with tidal flats expanses of rock or as small isolated within estuaries. Mistletoes often occur outcrops of vegetation on rock shelves Some butterflies only occur in one vegetation community. On the Gold in tree canopies. and in crevices of cliff faces. Coastal – Protected coastal areas. Butterfly is associated with grasslands Coast more than 50 species of butterflies, including Macleay’s Swallowtail C Includes open woodlands and and grassy understories. (Graphium macleayanum), Narrow-winged Pearl White (Elodina padusa) heathlands (wallum). Flowering Butterfly commonly occurs in parks and Bright Forest Blue (Pseudodipsas cephenes), are only found in shrub component includes tea trees, and gardens. banksias, peas, wattles and grasstrees. rainforest. As their names imply, Saltbush Blue (Theclinesthes serpentata) Swamp Forest – Lowland coastal SF Abundance and Samphire Blue (Theclinesthes sulpitius) are found on salt bushes areas regularly inundated by Common – Species that are seen freshwater or with areas of standing daily in suitable habitat during their and samphires of our tidal wetlands. The Hyaline Swift (Parnara amalia), water. Typically dominated by flight season. Grey Swift (Parnara bada) and Swordgrass Brown (Tisiphone abeona) are Melaleuca species. Uncommon – Species that may be Freshwater Wetlands – Areas subject restricted to swamp forests and freshwater wetlands where the wetland FW seen in suitable habitat at least once to prolonged periods of freshwater each flight season. grasses and sedges that are their host plants grow. inundation. Plants are predominantly aquatic or semi- aquatic sedges, Rare – Species not necessarily seen in Many inhabit forest and woodland edges. They need natural or artificial rushes and similar plants. suitable habitat every flight season. Riverine and Alluvial – Forest Local – Species which are restricted in clearings to find mates and to find particular host plants such as herbs RA and woodlands which occur on their distribution but at times common and scrambling vines, which are often species of disturbed areas. Others alluvial banks and plains adjacent to in those places. are found only high in tree canopies where their host plants such as waterways. May be periodically subject to flooding. May include rainforest Behaviour mistletoe and vines grow. Some are at home in our gardens and parks. species when fire is excluded for Migratory or irruptive – large long periods. Examples of local butterflies have been included in this booklet. numbers of butterflies moving together. Eucalypt – Dry eucalypt forests and E Specialist – Utilises only one or woodlands. Understorey plants include Throughout this booklet the following symbols are used to indicate the two host plant species. wattles, she-oaks, peas, grasstrees, typical habitat, behaviour and abundance of the butterflies described. herbaceous wildflowers and grasses. Caterpillars eats plants which Mistletoes often occur in tree canopies. contain poisonous chemicals which deter predators. Wet Eucalypt – Wet eucalypt forests WE and woodlands. Due to higher soil Where male and female butterflies have moisture and longer intervals between distinct forms, the sex of the butterfly fires, rainforest trees and shrubs occur pictured is indicated: along with vines, ferns and sedges. male female

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 17 FAMILY: PAPILIONIDAE THE SWALLOWTAILS, TRIANGLES AND BIRDWINGS

This family contains the largest and most spectacular of all butterflies including our largest butterfly the Richmond Birdwing (Ornithoptera richmondia). Australia hosts 18 species in this family, of which ten Blue Triangle Orchard Swallowtail may be found on the Gold Coast. Graphium sarpedon Papilio aegeus

Butterflies in this family exploit a wide range of host plants. RF E WE RF

Species from the family Papilionidae that occur on the Gold Native habitat is rainforest edge. Native habitat rainforest, rainforest Caterpillars feed upon a wide range edges and other moister habitats. Coast include: of rainforest trees. Caterpillars feed on a wide range of native and introduced plants, mainly of the citrus family (Rutaceae).

Four-barred Swordtail Macleay’s Swallowtail Chequered Swallowtail Big Greasy Protographium leosthenes Graphium macleayanum Papilio demoleus Cressida cressida

RF RF E E

Caterpillar feeds on the rainforest zig-zag Caterpillars feed on a wide variety of Species of drier vegetation types. Caterpillars feed on a number vine (Melodorum leichardtii). rainforest trees. Caterpillars feed on a range of of small species of poisonous legumes such as Emu Foot Aristolochia vines which grow (Cullen tenax). amongst grass and other low- growing vegetation.

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 19 The Richmond Birdwing: a conservation success story By 2013 the program had enjoyed considerable success not least The group of Asian and Australian butterflies known as the Birdwings through the substantial involvement of volunteers through a well- include the biggest butterflies in the world. Although we cannot claim designed campaign of public awareness. You can help the Richmond that accolade for our species, the Richmond Birdwing (Ornithoptera Birdwing by planting its host plants. richmondia) is certainly the biggest of our local butterflies. It is also the only Birdwing butterfly found outside the tropics.

Once distributed from Grafton to Maryborough, the butterfly declined through the 20th century as its rainforest habitats were destroyed, degraded or fragmented. By the end of the last century, the butterfly was only found as scattered, genetically isolated, populations on the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. On the Gold Coast, populations remained, occasionally numerous, in the rainforests of the hinterland but numbers fluctuated wildly from year to year.

The Richmond Birdwing has very specialised caterpillar feeding habits. It seeks out mature Birdwing Vines (Pararistolochia praevenosa) in its lowland range and the Mountain Aristolochia (Pararistolochia laheyana) in its upland habitats. Occasional severe winters in upland habitats may substantially reduce the numbers of this species.

The species was declared Vulnerable in Queensland in the 1980’s and a Draft Recovery Plan developed in 1996. Since then, intensive efforts and resources have been brought to bear on the species’ conservation including extensive planting of the vines, removal of other toxic, introduced vines (related to but not the same as the preferred host plants), captive breeding and release, and attempts through habitat management to develop connecting corridors of suitable habitat to overturn the genetic isolation which had arisen during the species’ decline. Richmond Birdwing (Ornithoptera richmondia) V

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 21 FAMILY: THE WHITES, YELLOWS AND JEZEBELS

The family Pieridae includes some of our most familiar species. Australia hosts about 35 species of which 18 may be encountered locally. The whites and yellows can be difficult to identify as many species have Caper Gull Scarlet/Northern Jezebel different seasonal forms. However, the brightly coloured jezebels are Cepora perimale Delias argenthona beautiful and distinctive. Many species in this family have adapted to E WE RF SF RA E larval host plants, such as mistletoes and plants in the cabbage family, which make the adult butterflies distasteful to predators. Common larval host plants are It favours swamp forests where species of Capparis. adults are often found on Melaleuca blossoms. Its host plants include a Species from the family Pieridae that occur on the Gold Coast include: number of species of mistletoes.

Lemon Migrant Small Grass Yellow Black Jezebel Southern Pearl-white Catopsilia pomona Delias nigrina Elodina angulipennis

E C E WE SF E WE RF RF

Occur, irregularly, sometimes in One of the most common of the A cool season species that is found Often found in the subcanopy of very large numbers. Caterpillar host local grass yellows. Active all year. in mountains in summer and in rainforests. Local host plants are plants are both native and exotic Caterpillar host plants are a wide coastal areas in autumn and winter. Capparis spp. species of the yellow-flowered range of low growing legumes Host plants are species of mistletoe. shrubs, Cassia and Senna species. including Cassia and Senna species.

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 23 FAMILY: LYCAENIDAE THE BLUES, COPPERS AND HAIRSTREAKS

The Lycaenidae are the largest and most diverse family of butterflies worldwide with over 6000 named species. Across Australia we have about 140 species and about 57 are found within the Gold Coast region. Small Copper Tiny Grass Blue Lucia limbaria Zizula hylax The most familiar blues are the several tiny species found in and around urban and semi-urban lawns and gardens. Bush gardens, woodlands E E WE and forests contain much more dramatic species whose well-being often Widespread and locally common. One of the smallest butterflies in the depends on their symbiotic relationships with specific species of ants. Host plant - Oxalis spp. Caterpillars world. Local larval host plants are are always attended by ants small herbaceous plants Hygrophila Species from the family Lycaenidae that occur on the Gold Coast include: (Iridomyrmex spp.) and pupate in angustifolia. Caterpillars are ant nests. occasionally attended by small ants.

Copper Jewel Common Imperial Blue Yellow-spotted Blue Samphire Blue Hypochrysops apelles Jalmenus evagoras Candalides xanthospilos Theclinesthes sulpitius

TW E WE EC C E TW

Occurs in tidal wetlands where its mangrove Prefers disturbed dry woodlands with Occurs in coastal vegetation communities Common in tidal wetlands. Larval host plants host plants occur. Caterpillars are always an abundance of young wattle plants. with heath understories where its larval host are samphires - succulent, herbaceous plants attended by ants (Crematogaster spp.). Caterpillars are always attended by ants plants Pimelea spp. (rice flowers) occur. which grow in high salinity environments of (Iridomyrmex spp.). tidal areas.

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 25 FAMILY: HESPERIIDAE THE SKIPPERS

Australia hosts about 120 species of and as many as 50 may be found on the Gold Coast. They occur in all terrestrial ecosystems. Most are inconspicuous, small, and orange and brown, although there Splendid Ochre Green Awl are some large spectacular species. They have a very distinctive way of Trapezites symmomus Hasora discolor perching with the wings partly open – the so-called ‘jet-fighter’ position. RA WE RF RF

Species from the family Hesperiidae that occur on the Gold Largest Ochre. Host plant is Local but not often seen. Its caterpillar Coast include: Lomandra longifolia which is makes a shelter by cutting and folding the common in parks and gardens. leaves of its local host plant Burny Bean Other Lomandra species sometimes (Mucuna gigantea). used – L. filiformis, L. hystrix, L. obliqua and L. spicata.

Regent Skipper Orange Palm-dart Orange Grass-dart Painted Sedge Skipper Euschemon rafflesia Cephrenes augiades sunias Hesperilla picta

RF SF RA WE RF SF FW C E WE

Occurs in rainforests. Caterpillars feed on the Caterpillars live and feed on the Found in vegetated swamps and freshwater Usually found in sheltered gullies. Like most foliage of Wilkiea species which are shrubs/ foliage of many species of native wetlands where its native host plant Swamp sedge skippers its host plant is a saw-sedge. small trees that grow in rainforest understorey. and exotic palms. Local host plants Ricegrass ( hexandra) grows. In this case, Tall Saw-sedge (Gahnia clarkei). include the Bangalow Palm and Cabbage Tree Palm.

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 27 FAMILY NYMPHALIDAE BRUSH-FOOTED BUTTERFLIES

This family – the so-called brush-footed butterflies because the first pair of legs in the adult butterflies are reduced to mere stubs – rivals the Lycaenidae in numbers of species. It contains a very wide diversity of Black and White Tiger Swordgrass Brown species which range from the brightly coloured milkweed butterflies and Danaus affinis Tisiphone abeona admirals through to the rather plain ‘browns’. In the Gold Coast region TW C C RF we have about 33 of Australia’s total of 81 species. Its caterpillar feed on Mangrove Wax-flower As its name suggests this butterfly depends Species from the family Nymphalidae that occur on the Gold Coast include: vine (Vincetoxicum carnosum) which sprawls on the saw-sedges (Gahnia spp.) for its within grasses on the edges of mangroves wellbeing and its caterpillars feed only on and marshy coastal areas. this group of plants.

Common Crow Lesser Wanderer Evening Brown Common Eggfly Danaus petilia Melanitis leda Hypolimnas bolina

SF E WE RF TW C RA E WE C RA E WE RF E WE RF

Occurs in a wide range of habitats. A distinct Australian species, this A shade-loving species that lives Host plants are low growing Its caterpillars feed on monkey-rope butterfly looks like a miniature close to the litter. It has two herbaceous ground covers vine (Parsonsia straminea) and related version of the exotic Wanderer distinct, seasonally driven colour such as Alternanthera spp. species. The adults may live for many butterfly. Caterpillars feed on local forms – a darker wet season Pseudoranthemum spp. and months accumulating in large roosts vines such as Vincetoxicum spp. form and paler dry season form. Sida spp. over the dry months. and Marsdenia spp. Caterpillars feed mainly on grasses.

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 29 The Australian Fritillary – Legal protection cannot preserve this, or any other butterfly species, Gone for ever? without constant vigilance and intervention, which requires intimate knowledge of species’ biology. Modern humans have so modified the The Australian Fritillary (Argynnis landscape, especially of our coastal lowlands, that simply designating hyperbius inconstans) is, or areas as reserves will not always work. For our rarer and more particular probably was, one of our most species, like the Fritillary, maintaining vegetation, soil and water regimes spectacular butterflies. It is will be essential if we are to keep these species for the future. Climate our only species of Fritillary – a change will make this an even more challenging task. large group of mostly northern hemisphere butterflies. It occurred from Gympie, south along the coast to just north of Port Mountain Birdwing Vine Macquarie. Known occurrences in the Gold Coast included Coolangatta and Burleigh Heads. Arrow-leaved Violet The Fritillary preferred disturbed Viola betonicifolia wetlands with rich, moist soil where its larval food plant, the arrow-headed violet (Viola betonicifolia) preferred to grow. The plant is still found in our region, but the particular set of circumstances which sustained the Fritillaries seem to have disappeared. It has been described as a ‘Goldilocks Species’ for which environmental conditions had to be ‘just right’.

The Australian Fritillary has not been seen in the Gold Coast since the early part of the twentieth century. If it survives in Australia at all, it is likely to be at remote sites around Limeburner’s Creek north of Port Macquarie, NSW. But even there, the species has not been seen since 2001. E CE

Australian Fritillary Argynnis hyperbius inconstans

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 31 Exotics and Pests Take action in your backyard

Australia has only two exotic butterflies: that is, species introduced to Butterflies are an essential part of our environment, delighting us with the continent by European settlement. Both species are common on the their passing beauty. They are also essential to the healthy functioning Gold Coast. These are the Cabbage White and the Wanderer (known of our gardens, parks and bushland. As human pressures mount – on elsewhere as the Monarch). land area and on native vegetation – these benefits will only persist if we are proactive in both protecting and enhancing our environment A small number of native species are occasional low level pests. Only one for butterflies. of these, the Cycad Blue, impacts on horticulture in our region. Keep it local

EXOTIC NATIVE The one overriding principle for protecting and enhancing habitat for butterflies is to keep it local.

To re-establish themselves, butterflies must come from somewhere. A few species can fly long distances and will likely turn up in any half- suitable place, but most are likely to spread out gradually from adjacent established habitat. Don’t expect rainforest butterflies to appear in your Wanderer Cabbage White Cycad Blue backyard if it is distant from the nearest natural area of rainforest – Danaus plexippus Pieris rapae Theclinesthes onycha even if you’ve nurtured or planted the ‘right’ host and nectar plants.

Known elsewhere (and to Originated in Eurasia but Historically a rare native a lesser extent in Australia) now found worldwide. It butterfly that was found for its regular long distance arrived, probably via New only in moister eucalypt migrations, the species Zealand, in Australia in woodlands that had cycads. was first recorded in 1939. A significant pest for Due to the popularity Australia in the 1870s. It growers of cabbages and of ornamental cycads is now common over the other brassicas. it has become a slight entire eastern seaboard inconvenience to gardeners with a satellite population as the caterpillars shred the established around Perth. soft new fronds of planted Not regarded as a pest. cycads as they elongate.

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 33 Protect and restore areas of Some local butterflies which utilise mistletoes as host plants include: native vegetation

First we must protect the remaining areas of natural bushland in our backyards and landscapes. These natural areas are homes to many species of butterfly – every time a patch of bush is cleared, however small, it reduces the world for butterflies and other biodiversity. Butterflies will thrive in natural bushland if left alone. Protected areas for butterflies do not even need to be very large, although there are many other reasons why larger reserves are required. Diggles’ Jewel Satin Azure There are well-established practices for restoring natural bushland Hypochrysops digglesii Ogyris amaryllis (see the Want to Know More section on page 70 for information and resources) but restoration practices can be more or less friendly to butterflies depending on how they are done.

Don’t mess with the mistletoe Mistletoes are native plants that grow on other plants. Because they are parasitic (take water and nutrients form their host plant) they are often Trident Pencil-blue Marbled Line-blue thought to be a problem. In fact, it is Candalides margarita Erysichton palmyra quite the opposite. Mistletoes play a vital role in ecosystems and support a wide range of animals including butterflies. In addition to their flowers providing nectar, they are also host plants for more than 10 species of butterflies on the Gold Coast – let Amyema pendulum – grows on them grow! several species of eucalypt.

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 35 Clear flowering weeds in stages Gardens for butterflies need to provide two plant types: caterpillar host plants and flowering plants for nectar. Other resources needed by some Adult butterflies need flowering plants to provide the nectar they require species – like particular ant species – are hit-and-miss affairs in a garden as fuel. Clearing all flowering ‘weeds’ from a plot under restoration may and these species will probably best thrive in natural ecosystems. If they initially discourage butterflies from re-establishing, but natives will soon do turn up in a garden, you should regard that as an incredibly lucky win begin to regenerate in their place. It’s recommended that weed control be for biodiversity. done in stages, allowing native nectar sources to naturally regenerate as the weeds are removed.

Maintain or create edges Forest and woodland edges are essential for many species of butterflies. They need natural or artificial clearings to find mates and to find particular host plants (which may often, themselves, be species of disturbed areas, like many herbs and vines).

Be patient Butterflies will not return immediately. Remember, some require mature foliage, or flowers and fruits, for their caterpillars to thrive. Others require vines or mistletoes which will only thrive once other plants are established. Create butterfly habitat

Gardens are special cases for the butterfly conservationist. If your garden abuts natural bushland then many of the principles of restoration apply. However, no matter where your backyard is, you have the opportunity to create a butterfly habitat which may be unlike any natural environment, yet still be a place in which our native butterflies can thrive. Common Crow courtship – the male above dusts the female with pheromones from his hair-pencils

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 37 Grow butterfly host plants Throughout their life cycle, the lives of butterflies are inextricably linked with plants. Adult butterflies feed on the nectar of flowers and even more critically, they need host plants to lay their eggs on and for their caterpillars to eat. As noted previously, some species of butterfly are highly specialised and their caterpillars rely on one or two species of host plant. For other butterflies, a wide range of host plants are acceptable – although these plants are often closely related species.

Attract a variety of butterflies by growing a variety of host plants.

Some plants – like softer-leaved wattles (Acacia spp.), the tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis spp.), flame and bottle trees (Brachychiton spp.), tulipwood (Harpullia spp.), native citrus (Citrus spp.), indigofera (Indigofera spp.), mat rushes (Lomandra spp.) and native grasses (various) – are very hardy and can support a wide range of butterfly species, so are obvious choices.

If you have a bush garden, be sure to leave a few plants which you might otherwise remove, such as nettles, some vines, sennas and cassias. These will attract butterfly species whose caterpillar live on few other plants.

Local native plants are preferred – even though non-native substitutes will attract a few butterfly species.

Butterfly Garden - Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 39 Local Native Plants See key on pages Local native plants are those that occur naturally in a location. Native 42 – 43 vegetation grows in groups of local native plants and these groups vary depending on local conditions such soil, landform, aspect and climatic features such as rainfall.

When selecting the most suitable local native plants for your backyard it is useful to understand the native vegetation group which grows on your property, or has grown in the past. It is also important to understand the type of vegetation community re-establishing butterflies might come from.

When you plant the right local native plant in the right place, you save time, money, effort, energy and you do less maintenance. You also create the most appropriate habitat for local butterflies.

This map shows the historic location of vegetation groups found on the Gold Coast.

Find the vegetation group that grows where you live. You can then choose local native host plants from this group to grow in your backyard by looking for the matching colour code in the local native plant list on pages 45 to 66.

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 41 EXPOSED COASTAL TIDAL WETLANDS RIVERINE & ALLUVIAL WET EUCALYPT

EC TW RA WE

COASTAL SWAMP FOREST RAINFOREST MONTANE

C SF RF MT

FRESHWATER WETLANDS EUCALYPT

FW E

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 43 HES US R T A

M Local native host plants for butterflies MAT RUSHES These local natives are butterfly host plants suitable for gardens. Butterflies which use these plants are listed. This list was compiled from Splendid Ochre, Orange Ochre, Brown Ochre, Northern Silver Ochre, Ornate Ochre, Southern Silver Ochre, Montane Ochre, Heath Ochre, Black-ringed known records of what the caterpillars eat. New discoveries will be added Ochre, Yellow Ochre to the list as time passes. Few caterpillars have more specific preferences Wallum Mat Rush than the plant genus. Not all local butterflies or host plants are listed. CWS Lomandra elongata Plants that also provide nectar for adult butterflies are C indicated by a butterfly icon. Twisted Mat Rush Not all plant species listed will be available from nurseries and other plant Lomandra obliqua suppliers, but the range of local native plants available is growing. Pale Mat Rush CWS Lomandra confertifolia Asking your local garden centre or native nursery to stock specific subsp. pallida local native species that you would like to grow will encourage them to E WE increase the range of species available. Creek Mat Rush Creek Mat Rush Lomandra hystrix Lomandra hystrix SF RA RF

Long-leaved Mat Rush Lomandra longifolia C SF RA E WE Broad-leaved Mat Rush Lomandra laxa CWS Many-flowered Mat Rush Lomandra multiflora subsp. multiflora RA E WE Yellow-fruited Mat Rush Long-leaved Mat Rush Lomandra spicata Lomandra longifolia RF

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 45

S S E S G A D R E G S GRASSES SEDGES Barred Skipper, Dingy Grass Skipper, Small Grass Skipper, Lilac Grass Skipper, White- brand Grass Skipper, Yellow Grass Skipper, Bright Shield Skipper, Dull Shield Skipper, Two-spotted Sedge Skipper, Flame Sedge Skipper, Varied Sedge Skipper, Greenish Large Yellow Grass Dart, Small Dingy Grass Dart, No-brand Grass Dart, White-banded Darter, Chequered Sedge Skipper, Spotted Sedge Skipper, Painted Sedge Skipper, Grass-dart, Common Grass Dart, Walker’s Grass Dart, White-margined Grass Dart, Wonder Brown, Swordgrass Brown Dark-orange Grass Dart, Dingy Grass Dart, Orange Grass Dart, Swamp Darter, Hyaline Rough Sword-sedge Swift, Grey Swift, Dingy Swift, Lyell’s Swift, Evening Brown, Rock Ringlet, Northern Gahnia aspera Ringlet, Common Ringlet, Dingy Ringlet, Orange Ringlet, Common Brown, Wonder E WE Brown, Bank’s Brown, Dingy Ring Tall Sword-sedge CWS Gahnia clarkei C SF Red-fruited Sword-sedge Gahnia sieberiana C SF WE Black-fruited Sword-sedge Gahnia melanocarpa Grassy Saw-sedge WE Kangaroo Grass Tussock Grass Gahnia insignis Themeda triandra Poa labillardierei Grassy Saw-sedge Gahnia insignis C SF RA E WE RA E WE MT

Other local native grasses include: Wide-brand Sedge Skipper Graceful/Pademelon Grass Weeping Grass a Sedge Ottochloa gracillima Microlaena stipoides Scleria tricuspidata SF RA E WE Hairy Forest Grass Razor-leaved Sedge Ottochloa nodosa Rainforest Beard Grass Scleria levis SF RA E WE RF Oplismenus mollis Raspy-leaved Sedge Hairy Panic Creeping Beard Grass Scleria mackaviensis Panicum effusum Oplismenus aemulus RA E WE Dwarf Panic Pademelon Grass Razor Sedge Panicum pygmaeum Oplismenus imbecillis Raspy-leaved Sedge Scleria sphacelata Scleria mackaviensis RA E WE SF RA E WE RF WE RF

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 47 COVER ND U O R G GROUND COVERS

Long-tailed Pea Blue, Common Grass Blue Meadow Argus Slender Swainson-pea Wallum Goodenia Swainsona brachycarpa Goodenia stelligera CWS Darling Pea C Swainsona galegifolia Ivy Goodenia CWS Smooth Darling Pea Goodenia hederacea subsp. CWS Swainsona queenslandica hederacea E E Branched Goodenia Goodenia paniculata FW C Slender Swainson-pea Goodenia Goodenia Swainsona brachycarpa Goodenia rotundifolia Goodenia rotundifolia C RA E WE MT

Eastern Iris Skipper Meadow Argus Swamp Iris Fan Flower Patersonia fragilis Scaevola calendulacea C EC C Leafy Purple Flag Purple Fan Flower Patersonia glabrata Scaevola ramosissima Silky Purple Flag C E Patersonia sericea var. sericea C E

Silky Purple Flag Patersonia sericea Beach Scaevola var. sericea Scaevola calendulacea

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 49 COVER ND U O R G GROUND COVERS

Meadow Argus Meadow Argus Australian Painted Lady Australian Painted Lady

Blue Trumpet Trailing Speedwell Yellow Buttons Golden Everlasting Daisy Brunoniella australis Veronica plebeia Chrysocephalum apiculatum Xerochrysum bracteatum RA E WE RA E WE E E

Leafwing, Common Eggfly, Blue Eggfly, Chequered Swallowtail, Long-tailed Pea Danaid Eggfly, Blue Argus Blue, Common Grass Blue Australian Painted Lady Australian Painted Lady

Pastel Flower White Paper Daisy Pseuderanthemum Emu Foot Coronidium elatum subsp. Chamomile Sunray variabile Cullen tenax elatum Rhodanthe anthemoides E E WE MT MT

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 51 COVER ND U S O E N R I G V GROUND COVERS VINES

Dingy Grass Skipper Common Crow White-banded Lineblue Blueberry Flax Lily Dianella caerulea C E RF Blue Flax Lily Dianella caerulea var. assera E RF Blue Flax Lily Dianella caerulea var. caerulea RF Blue Flax Lily Wax Flower Vine Embelia Blueberry Flax Lily Dianella caerulea var. producta Hoya australis Embelia australiana Dianella caerulea var. assera C E RA C E RF RF Other local Dianella caerulea varieties - petasmatodes, protensa, vannata Dark Caerulean Long-tailed Pea Blue Suckering Flax Lily Dianella congesta EC E RF Short-flowered Flax Lily Dianella brevipedunculata Blue Flax Lily Dianella longifolia E

Coastal Jack Bean Red Coral Pea Suckering Flax Lily Canavalia rosea Kennedia rubicunda Dianella congesta EC C E WE

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 53 S E N I V VINES VINES Danaid Eggfly, Meadow Argus, Southern Large Darter, Common Lesser Wanderer, Common Crow, Green Awl Pencilled Blue Blue Tiger Narrow-leaved Milk Vine Marsdenia fraseri C Downy Milk Vine Marsdenia pleiadenia WE RF Common Milk Vine Marsdenia rostrata Marsdenia lloydii Burny Bean Supplejack Marsdenia flavescens Mucuna gigantea Flagellaria indica Marsdenia coronata V Marsdenia fraseri RA RF RF Marsdenia hemiptera CWS Marsdenia longiloba V V Miskin’s Jewel, Fiery Jewel, Bright Forest Blue Pale Green Triangle RF

Richmond Birdwing Richmond Birdwing Vine Pararistolochia praevenosa

Mountain Birdwing Vine CWS Pararistolochia laheyana RF

Barbed-wire Vine Zig-zag Vine Smilax australis Melodorum leichhardtii Mountain Birdwing Vine Pararistolochia laheyana RF RF

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 55 B U R H S SHRUBS Southern Pearl White, Narrow-winged Dingy Swallowtail, Orchard Butterfly, Pearl White, Chalky Pearl White, Caper Tailed Citrus Butterfly Common Crow Fiery Jewel White, Australian Gull, Common Albatross CWS

Caper Bush Finger Lime Currant Bush Hop Bush Capparis arborea Citrus australasica Carissa ovata Dodonaea viscosa

RF RF WE RF C E RF WE

Grass Jewel, Black-spotted Grass Blue, Speckled Lineblue, Australian Admiral, Dark Caerulean, Common Grass Blue White Nymph, Blue Eggfly, Varied Eggfly, Common Aeroplane Common Aeroplane Indigo Flash

CWS CWS

Native Indigo Native Mulberry Dysentery Plant Spiny Graptophyllum Indigofera australis Pipturus argenteus Grewia latifolia Graptophyllum spinigerum

E WE RF E RF

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 57 B U R H S SHRUBS

Fiery Jewel, Copper Pencilled Blue, Fringed Heath Blue Fringed Heath Blue Wallum Dogwood a Pea CWS Jacksonia stackhousei Daviesia umbellulata C C E

Dogwood a Pea CWS Jacksonia scoparia Daviesia villifera E Long-leaf Bitter-pea Daviesia wyattiana E

Dogwood Jacksonia scoparia Daviesia villifera

Common Migrant, Lemon Migrant, Yellow Migrant, No-brand Grass Yellow, Common Grass Yellow, Small Grass Yellow, Macleay’s Grass Yellow Fringed Heath Blue Heathy Parrot Pea CWS Pepper-leaved Senna Dillwynia retorta Senna barclayana C E Pepper-leaved Senna Showy Parrot Pea Senna sophera var. sophera Dillwynia floribunda E C Rainforest Cassia Senna acclinis RF

Pepper-leaved Senna Showy Parrot Pea Senna barclayana Dillwynia floribunda

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 59 E E R T TREES Tailed Emperor, Blue Jewel, Fiery Jewel, Common Imperial Blue, Stencilled Imperial Blue, Daemel’s Imperial Blue, Wattle Blue, Twin-spotted Lineblue, Purple Lineblue, Macleay’s Swallowtail, Blue Triangle, Common Red-eye, Eastern Flat Short-tailed Lineblue, Glistening Lineblue, Small Green-banded Blue Yellow Laurel Hickory Wattle Cryptocarya bidwillii Acacia falcata Small-leaved Cryptocarya Golden Wreath Wattle Cryptocarya foveolata Acacia penninervis Jackwood Blackwood Cryptocarya glaucescens Acacia melanoxylon E Hard-leaved Laurel Cryptocarya sclerophylla Early Black Wattle RF Acacia leiocalyx Pigeonberry Ash Golden Wreath Wattle Cryptocarya erythroxylon Acacia penninervis Thick-leaved Laurel Cryptocarya meisneriana CWS Bright Cornelian, Common Pencilled Blue, Large Purple Lineblue, Purple Lineblue, Hairy Lineblue WE RF Murrogun Macadamia Nut V V Cryptocarya microneura Glossy Laurel Macadamia integrifolia Cryptocarya laevigata

Macadamia Nut V V Macadamia tetraphylla RF Cooloola Laurel Pepperberry Cryptocarya macdonaldii CWS Cryptocarya obovata WE RA RF Three-veined Cryptocarya Murrogun Cryptocarya triplinervis Cryptocarya microneura TW SF E RA RF E RA WE RF Macadamia Nut Macadamia tetraphylla

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 61 E E R T TREES Bright Cornelian, Common Pencilled Blue, Dark Pencilled Blue, Purple Lineblue, Fiery Jewel, Bright Cornelian, Common Pencilled Blue, Large Purple Lineblue, Short-tailed Lineblue, Glistening Lineblue, Hairy Lineblue Short-tailed Lineblue, Glistening Lineblue, White-banded Lineblue, Hairy Lineblue Beach Alectryon Brown Tuckeroo Alectryon coriaceus Cupaniopsis flagelliformis CWS C Small-leaved Tuckeroo Cupaniopsis parvifolia Wild Quince CWS Alectryon subcinereus RF RF Long-leaved Tuckeroo Cupaniopsis newmanii NT RA E WE RF Tuckeroo Cupaniopsis anacardioides Beach Alectryon Long-leaved Tuckeroo EC TW C SF RA E Alectryon coriaceus Cupaniopsis newmanii

Eastern Flat; Common Aeroplane, Fiery Jewel, Common Pencilled Blue, Flame Tree Bright Cornelian, Common Pencilled Blue, Purple Lineblue, Short-tailed Lineblue, Hairy Lineblue Brachychiton acerifolius Speckled Lineblue, Hairy Lineblue Wing-leaved Tulip Kurrajong CWS Brachychiton populneus subsp. Harpullia alata trilobus Blunt-leaved Tulip E RF Harpullia hillii Kurrajong Tulipwood Brachychiton populneus subsp. Harpullia pendula populneus RF E Rusty Kurrajong Brachychiton bidwillii CWS Flame Tree Lacebark Tree Brachychiton CWS Tulipwood acerifolius Brachychiton discolor Harpullia pendula RF

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 63 E E R T TREES Bright Cornelian, Common Pencilled Blue, Purple Lineblue, Short-tailed Lineblue, Macleay’s Swallowtail, Blue Triangle, Speckled Lineblue, Hairy Lineblue Dingy Swallowtail, Orchard Butterfly Blue Triangle, Common Red-eye White Yiel-Yiel Grevillea hilliana CWS

Helm’s Silky Oak CWS Grevillea helmsiae RF Silky Oak Grevillea robusta RA RF

Green Satinheart Broad-leaved Native Cherry White Yiel-Yiel Geijera salicifolia var. latifolia Exocarpos latifolius Grevillea hilliana RF RF Common Migrant, Yellow Migrant, No-brand Grass Yellow, Common Grass Fiery Jewel, Bright Cornelian Macleay’s Swallowtail, Blue Triangle Yellow, Small Grass Yellow, Macleay’s Grass Yellow Eumundi Quandong Elaeocarpus eumundi V Blue Quandong Elaeocarpus grandis Pidgeonberry Ash Elaeocarpus kirtonii Hard Quandong Elaeocarpus obovatus RA WE RF Sassafras Brush Cassia Blue Quandong Doryphora sassafras Cassia marksiana Elaeocarpus grandis RF RF

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 65 M L A P CYCADS AND PALMS Grow nectar plants To attract butterflies to your garden, you also need to provide nectar plants for the adults to feed from. In this regard butterflies are rather CYCADS – Cycad Blue unspecialised. They will go for any flower that provides nectar rewards Zamia Macrozamia lucida CWS they can reach with their ‘drinking straw’ tongues. Pineapple Zamia Bright UV-rich colours such as red, white and purple are preferred, but E E Macrozamia any rich, accessible source of nectar will be used. Basically any freely pauli-guilielmi available open-faced flowers will attract butterflies. WE RF Tubular flowers may be particularly attractive as long as the butterflies can reach the nectar sources deep inside the flower tubes.

Zamia Macrozamia lucida

PALMS – Yellow Palm Dart, Orange Palm Dart

CWS

Bangalow Palm Male Splendid Ochre Archontophoenix Cabbage Palm Wait-a-while (Trapezites symmomus) feeding Orange Grass-dart cunnighamiana Livistona australis Calamus muelleri on the flowers of Monkey Rope () feeding x Vine (Parsonsia straminea) from a tubular flower SF RA WE RF C SF E WE RF

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 67 Local native plants which provide a source of nectar include Create moist areas for ‘mud puddling’ Xanthorrhoea (grass-trees), Leptospermum, Melaleuca (including those formerly known as Callistemon), Brachyscome and other In a dry climate, butterflies will also seek out patches of moist ground native daisies, Hakea, Myoporum and eucalypts. to indulge in what is called ‘mud-puddling’. They suck water from the ground, pass it through their bodies and absorb nutrients, and no doubt Many non-native flowering plants are also exploited, just remember some water. You can support butterflies by creating wet areas lined with to avoid complex artificially bred ‘doubles’ and those that have been gravel and/or stone where they and other insects can safely access bred for appearance rather than biological fitness. These are likely to water without drowning or getting stuck in mud. produce little or no nectar and scent and do not provide butterflies with a food source. Reduce the use of pesticides Like all insects, butterflies are highly sensitive to pesticides. Reducing or stopping the use of pesticides in the garden can benefit butterflies and many other kinds of ‘useful’ insects. Don’t assume that because a product is on sale it is not harmful to native species.

Regent Skipper (Euschemon rafflesia) feeding on a blossom Lemon Migrant (Catopsilia pomona) mud puddling

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 69 Want to know more? Ecological restoration undertaken by a private landholder Bushland restoration Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded, damaged or destroyed. It involves activities such as weed control, erosion control, exclusion of grazing animals and management of pest animals.

More information about how to undertake ecological restoration on your property can be found on the City of Gold Coast website by searching for the following:

• South East Queensland Restoration Framework: Details a framework for undertaking ecological restoration and includes a MAY 2014 OCTOBER 2014 manual which provides a technical, but easy to use, guide to all aspects of ecological restoration. • Environmental Weeds and Invasive Plants: Information about identifying and managing environmental weeds. • Ecological Restoration Techniques: Suite of videos demonstrating best practice weed management and other restoration techniques. • Landholder Partnerships: Details services provided to assist private property owners with restoration and conservation of their land including Land for Wildlife, Voluntary Conservation Agreements and Bushland Health Checks.

JUNE 2016 MAY 2018

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 71 Local native plants Purchasing plants that are local provenance is an important contribution you can make to the environment. Local provenance means that the plant is grown from local, naturally occurring specimens.

Planting these, rather than plants sourced from far afield, preserves the local gene pool of that species. It also supports local native plant nurseries, which play a vital role in contributing to the greening of the city and supporting the local economy.

Where to buy local native plants

Use the GroNative App to find nurseries in South East Queensland that stock plants listed in the app.

Search for suppliers and native plant sale events online:

• Native Plants Queensland has autumn and spring plant sales which are a great way to buy interesting and hard to find native plants. Nurseries are listed on their website. • The Australian Native Plants Society website provides a list of native plant nurseries. • Gardening events and shows are held regularly on the Gold Coast and across South East Queensland. • There are a number of online plant suppliers which you can find by searching for plants by species names.

Visit the Friends of the Gardens nursery at the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens. The nursery stocks a wide range of local native plants and is open from 8 – 11am on the first Friday of each month.

Friends of the Gardens nursery BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 73 Opportunities to learn more Digital and websites Naturally GC SEARCH FOR:

A variety of free and low cost nature based workshops, activities • Coffs Harbour Butterfly House Encyclopaedia: Probably the and events are available across the Gold Coast including native best Australian website for up-to-date information on butterflies gardening workshops – check out the City of Gold Coast website and moths. for further information. • Butterflies Australia App: Smart phone application to identify butterflies and gather and collate detailed information about Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens sightings. Download from the App Store or Google Play. Visit Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens in Benowa. Friends of the • Sustainable Gardening Australia – Butterflies: Information Gardens volunteers are on site every day to provide advice. You can about ‘gardening for butterflies’ with links to other sites and also join a guided walk of the butterfly garden to learn more about our commentaries. local butterflies and their host plants – check out their Facebook page • Australian Museum – Butterflies: A useful website principally for dates and times of walks. pointing to other websites. A gateway to the worldwide information bases available on butterflies. Books and resources available from City Libraries • Butterflies and Other Invertebrates Club (BOIC): Brisbane based • Orr, A. G. & Kitching, R. L. (2010). The Butterflies of Australia, club for people with an interest in butterflies and other invertebrates Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW. • Garry Sankowsky (2015). All about butterflies of Australia, Reed New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd • Clyne, Densey (2011). Attracting Butterflies to Your Garden, New Holland Publishers

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 75 References Photo Credits

Content for this booklet was provided by Professor Roger Kitching. Butterfly photos Plant photos Key references: ALL BUTTERFLY PHOTOS ARE UNLESS DETAILED BELOW • BRABY, M. F. (2000). Butterflies of Australia: their Identification, BY TODD BURROWS ALL PLANT PHOTOS ARE BY GLENN LEIPER Biology and Distribution, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Vic. Page 31 • DUNN, K. L. & DUNN, L. E. (1991). Review of Australian Butterflies: Australian Fritillary illustration – Page 32 Albert Orr Butterfly Garden Botanic Gardens – Distribution, Life History and , Privately Published, Kate Heffernan Melbourne, Vic. Page 52 • KITCHING, R. L., SCHEERMEYER, E., JONES, R E. & PIERCE, N. Dianella congesta – Narelle Power E. (Eds) (1999). Biology of Australian Butterflies, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, Vic. • LEIPER, G., GLAZEBROOK, J., COX, D. & RATHIE, K. (2017). Mangroves to Mountains: a Field Guide to the Native Plants of South- Published April 2020 east Queensland, 2nd Edition, Society for Growing Australian Plants, Logan, Qld. • ORR, A. G. & KITCHING, R. L. (2010). The Butterflies of Australia, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, NSW. • SANDS, D. P. A. & NEW, T. R. (2013). Conservation of the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly in Australia, Springer, Dordrecht, Germany. • SCOBLE, M. J. (1992). The Lepidoptera: Form, Function and Diversity, Natural History Museum, London. The Richmond Birdwing: A conservation success story

• Principal Source: SANDS D. P. A. & NEW T. R. (2013), Conservation of the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly in Australia, Springer, Dordrecht. The Australian Fritillary – gone for ever?

• Principal source: LAMBKIN T. A. (2017), Australian Entomologist 44, 223-268. White Wood (Delias aganippe)

BACKYARD BIODIVERSITY: Our Nature – Butterflies 77 FOR MORE INFORMATION

P 1300 GOLDCOAST (1300 465 326) W cityofgoldcoast.com.au

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