January 2022 Moth-ing to worry about!
Queensland Environment is in Heron Island, Queensland
Heron Island visitors may notice increased numbers of Australian native hawkmoths and hawkmoth caterpillars on the island over the next few weeks, with rangers tracking the natural phenomenon in Capricornia Cays National Park.
Following recent steady rain in the area, the hawkmoth larvae drop from the Pisonia trees which grow in the park. This, combined with the annual seabird nesting season which increases the amount of nutrition on the island, creates a suitable environment for the moths to develop.
Visitors and staff may also notice a dropping of leaves from the Pisonia forests; however, this is also part of a natural process, and the trees will regenerate.
Native hawkmoths are protected and play an important role in cycling nutrients within the national park by increasing turnover rates of the high-nutrient environment.
Queensland Environment is in Heron Island, Queensland
Heron Island visitors may notice increased numbers of Australian native hawkmoths and hawkmoth caterpillars on the island over the next few weeks, with rangers tracking the natural phenomenon in Capricornia Cays National Park.
Following recent steady rain in the area, the hawkmoth larvae drop from the Pisonia trees which grow in the park. This, combined with the annual seabird nesting season which increases the amount of nutrition on the island, creates a suitable environment for the moths to develop.
Visitors and staff may also notice a dropping of leaves from the Pisonia forests; however, this is also part of a natural process, and the trees will regenerate.
Native hawkmoths are protected and play an important role in cycling nutrients within the national park by increasing turnover rates of the high-nutrient environment.
Jan 2020 Sacred Caterpillars
The Arrernte people of Alice Springs regarded the caterpillar of this species as an important ancestral being. With January 2020's heavy rainfall, the desert town is experiencing a resurgence of them. The ABC Alice Springs link below, quoting senior Eastern-Arrernte woman, Veronica Dobson, is well worth reading.
www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/02/05/4174922.htm?fbclid=IwAR3IEeeXwe0Z6b1yrYOSKMHR16g5bkPuFs3v5kTQmNWk7eZbjnuhlwPHXcY
The Arrernte people of Alice Springs regarded the caterpillar of this species as an important ancestral being. With January 2020's heavy rainfall, the desert town is experiencing a resurgence of them. The ABC Alice Springs link below, quoting senior Eastern-Arrernte woman, Veronica Dobson, is well worth reading.
www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/02/05/4174922.htm?fbclid=IwAR3IEeeXwe0Z6b1yrYOSKMHR16g5bkPuFs3v5kTQmNWk7eZbjnuhlwPHXcY
Search for Rare Butterfly
This pamphlet was circulated by Saving our Species in partnership with Lepidoptera Conservation Group Northern NSW. It gives the life history of the endangered Australian Fritillary Butterfly and requests feedback of sightings.
This pamphlet was circulated by Saving our Species in partnership with Lepidoptera Conservation Group Northern NSW. It gives the life history of the endangered Australian Fritillary Butterfly and requests feedback of sightings.
A good butterfly reference book is Ross Field's Butterflies Identification and Life History. Although it covers Victorian species, many occur elsewhere and it is a great reference for all stages of these fascinating insects.
The following site includes wonderful microscopic photographs, taken from the book, of butterfly eggs and their diversity of shapes and sculptures. It is well worth a look.
artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/GQKCxeqp61KWJQ
The following site includes wonderful microscopic photographs, taken from the book, of butterfly eggs and their diversity of shapes and sculptures. It is well worth a look.
artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/GQKCxeqp61KWJQ
2018 - Some things happening round the world
British Big Butterfly Count - From 20 July to 12 August people in the UK will be counting butterflies! Wish our country was this aware and active.
https://www.bigbutterflycount.org/
www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2018/jul/30/big-butterfly-count-2018-your-best-pictures
https://www.bigbutterflycount.org/
www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2018/jul/30/big-butterfly-count-2018-your-best-pictures
nationalmothweek.org/
National Moth Week celebrates the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths. “Moth-ers” of all ages and abilities are encouraged to learn about, observe, and document moths in their backyards, parks, and neighborhoods. National Moth Week is being held, worldwide, during the last full week of July. NMW offers everyone, everywhere a unique opportunity to become a Citizen Scientist and contribute scientific data about moths. Through partnerships with major online biological data depositories, NMW participants can help map moth distribution and provide needed information on other life history aspects around the globe.
National Moth Week celebrates the beauty, life cycles, and habitats of moths. “Moth-ers” of all ages and abilities are encouraged to learn about, observe, and document moths in their backyards, parks, and neighborhoods. National Moth Week is being held, worldwide, during the last full week of July. NMW offers everyone, everywhere a unique opportunity to become a Citizen Scientist and contribute scientific data about moths. Through partnerships with major online biological data depositories, NMW participants can help map moth distribution and provide needed information on other life history aspects around the globe.
America even has a Caterpillar Lab!
They hold events and have some great videos and photos.
www.thecaterpillarlab.org/
They hold events and have some great videos and photos.
www.thecaterpillarlab.org/
2017 June - Just had a holiday in FNQ. There are many butterflies about up there. We were thrilled to see Tawny Costers - 'fake' refugee butterflies that have entered the country from SE Asia without apparent human involvement. They are originally from India and Sri Lanka.
For more information go to:
www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-16/indian-butterfly-crosses...australia/6916980
Tawny Costers were first sighted in Australia in 2012 near Darwin, they have spread rapidly in the north reaching Cairns around March this year and are thought to now be moving south.
bunyipco.blogspot.com/2017/04/a-new-butterfly-appears-then-disappears.html
For more information go to:
www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-16/indian-butterfly-crosses...australia/6916980
Tawny Costers were first sighted in Australia in 2012 near Darwin, they have spread rapidly in the north reaching Cairns around March this year and are thought to now be moving south.
bunyipco.blogspot.com/2017/04/a-new-butterfly-appears-then-disappears.html