CLUB PLANNING AND ORGANIZING GROUP - 2008

President:

Vice President:

Treasurer:

Secretary:

Newsletter:

Librarian:

Publicity:

Excursion Convenor:

Ross Kendall 07 3378 1187

John Moss 07 3245 2997

Rob MacSloy 07 3824 4348

Peter Hendry 07 3206 0048

Daphne Bowden (daphne.bowden1 @bigpond.com)07 3396 6334

Janet Willoughby 07 3343 3949

Lois Hughes 07 3206 6229

Alisha Steward 07 3275 1186

PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION MEETINGS

A quarterly meeting 1s scheduled in order to plan club activities and the magazine.

See BOIC Programme.

CONTACT ADDRESS AND MEMBERSHIP DETAILS

PO Box 2113, Runcorn, Queensland 4113

Membership fees are $20.00 for individuals and $25 for schools and organizations.

AIMS OF ORGANIZATION

e To establish a network of people growing butterfly host plants;

e To hold information meetings about invertebrates;

e To organize excursions around the theme of invertebrates e.g. butterflies, native

bees, ants, dragonflies, beetles, freshwater habitats, and others;

e To promote the conservation of the invertebrate habitat;

e To promote the keeping of invertebrates as alternative pets;

e To promote research into invertebrates;

e To encourage the construction of invertebrate friendly habitats in urban areas.

MAGAZINE DEADLINES

If you want to submit an item for publication the following deadlines apply:

March issue — February 21° June issue — May 21°

September issue — August 21° December issue — November 21°

COVER

Mistletoe Emperor Moth (Opodiphthera loranthi). Painting by Lois Hughes

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 2

FROM THE PRESIDENT

The BOIC has conferred life membership to Helen Schwencke in recognition of her

vital initiatives in its establishment and organisation for 12 years. Elsewhere in this

publication you will read a brief history of the development of the Club’s newsletter,

which has been penned by Lois Hughes.

I thank Lois for her continued active work for the BOIC. Her artwork has been

appreciated for many years but with the magazine now printed in colour she has

unleashed her talents to produce beautiful paintings for the cover. The latest, which

you will have already studied, 1s impressive.

Through Lois’ love of art and her detective work we welcome two rather special

members: Charles McCubbin 1s a well-known artist particularly to those familiar

with his classic book “Australian Butterflies” published in 1971 and Densey Clyne is

also well known as a naturalist, photographer and publisher.

Often, in discussions with entomologists, I hear of shortages of experts in many fields

as older specialists retire or die. This was recently reinforced by Susan Wright of the

Queensland Museum in her comments on the mystery ants from our last edition (see

page 34) but I am encouraged by the fact that at least three youngsters have joined the

BOIC in the last year. One of these, Ben Jacobs, has become the youngest

contributor to our publication with his article on a small praying mantis.

Thank you again to the various contributors of articles for this edition and to Daphne

for her patient editing. Best wishes Ross

Creature Feature - The Mistletoe Emperor Moth (Opodiphthera loranthi) ................. 4

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Life Cycle of the Leaf-Beetle (Plagiodera AMmphipennis) ........ccccccesecccceeseccccansecceeaesecees 8

Life History Notes on the Scalloped Grass-yellow (Eurema A1itha)......ccccceccccceeseeeeee 10

Further notes on the Scalloped Grass-yellow (Eurema alitha) and its hostplants....... 13

Studies of the eggs and larvae of the Richmond Birdwing butterfly.........00. eee 15

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Aspects of the biology and behaviour or Ligia exotica - the Wharf 'Louse'’ .............. 17

New hostplants for the notodontid moth Neola SCMIQUI ATA. ..........ccccc ccc cee cece eeeceee eee 21

Two new hostplants for the Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio AE ZEUS)... ccc cceeccceeeeeeeees Zee

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Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #5 ia Page 3

CREATURE FEATURE

The Mistletoe Emperor Moth (Opodiphthera loranthi) (Lucas)

(Lepidoptera: Saturniidae)

The family Saturniidae contains some of the most interesting and spectacular moths in

the world, including the well known Asian Atlas moths (Afttacus spp.) and our own

huge, tailed Hercules Moth (Coscinocera hercules) of North Queensland rainforests.

The familiar commercial Silkworm (Bombyx mori) 1s in a related family, both of

which come within the superfamily Bombycoidea, as do the anthelids, as discussed

previously by Peter Hendry in issue number 50, September 2008.

In the 1960’s, whilst living in

Sydney, I often came across a

large saturnid which was a local

icon amongst the amateur

naturalists. This was the Emperor

Gum Moth now Opodiphthera

eucalypti, but known as

Antheraea eucalypti at that time!

Occasionally a larger, more

showy species O. helena would

turn up and the attractive larvae of

both of these species were eagerly

sought after as pets! The large

caterpillars of both species were mostly found on the foliage of various eucalypts.

Mistletoe Emperor Moth (Opodiphthera loranthi) male

Photo by Julian Bentley

However, on one occasion, whilst walking in my local bushland, I found a dead

specimen of a similar looking, large reddish-brown saturnid, that I couldn’t identify.

It wasn’t until the publication of Ian Common’s “Moths of Australia” in 1990 that I

recognized it as the mistletoe feeding species O. loranthi, although I thought that the

black and white photograph didn’t do it justice!

I have since found the moth in various locations in Southeast Queensland where there

are significant amounts of pendulous mistletoes. The habitats vary from savannah

woodland to dry sclerophyll open forest to wet sclerophyll closed forests but not

specifically in rainforests. Lane and Edwards (2005) list the mistletoe hosts as

Amyema miquelii, A. pendula and A. quandang — the first two of which are parasitic

on Eucalyptus species and the third on various wattles, especially Brigalow (Acacia

harpophylla). Richard Zietek (pers. comm.) also reports the moth larvae on A.

miquelii. (See Moss, 2005, for a fuller account of these mistletoes and their host

trees.)

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 4

In March 2003, Ross Kendall and I found several final instar larvae on the pendulous

‘“Gum-leaved Mistletoe” Muellerina eucalyptoides growing on the “Broad-leaved

Apple” Angophora subvelutina at

Bolivia Hill, south of Tenterfield,

NSW. An adjacent tree had a

cluster of old spent cocoons

attached to the butt of a dead

mistletoe just above its haustorial

attachment. Common (1990)

remarks ““The empty cocoons are

used as pupation sites by the larvae

of Ogyris butterflies that also feed

on the mistletoe.” This was a good

site for both Ogyris abrota and O.

olane which we also found feeding

on the same mistletoe although I

don’t recall any butterflies emerging

from the empty moth cocoons.

Opodiphthera loranthi pupal cluster

Photo by Peter Hendry

Common (1990) states that “pupation occurs in tough, oval cocoons spun in a bunch

together on the butt of the mistletoe, but arranged so that each moth can escape

successfully at eclosion.” Our findings confirm this observation (see illustrations

cocoons). He further observes that “the larvae are gregarious and several usually

occur on the one clump of mistletoe, often defoliating it. Their presence on

mistletoes growing high in the canopy of eucalypts can usually be detected by the

presence of numerous large faecal pellets on the ground beneath.”

The larvae (several instars of which are well illustrated by Lane and Edwards, 2005)

differ ron most other saturnids (exception being the closely related Opodiphthera

Doadiphihebet loranthi larvae

Photo by John Moss

P-:

carnea) by having thicker, black

coloured scoli (small dermal turrets or

“lumps’’) topped with white setae

(hairs) arranged in rows within black

segmented bands or rings, around the

body at roughly 1cm intervals, 1.e. one

ring per segment (see illustration final

instar larvae). The background colour of

the earlier instars is brown whereas that

of the final instar 1s a dull khaki or olive

ereen. They grow to a length of about

110mm before pupation. The adult

moth has a wingspread of approximately

200mm (see illustration herein).

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #5 1— Page 5

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Common (1990) gave the distribution

of this species as from Cooktown,

North Queensland to Mt. Keira, just

south of Sydney. However, Lane and

Edwards (2005) have confirmed that

there are two similar species (O.

loranthi and O. carnea) with

distributions that may eventually be

found to overlap. O. loranthi is now

considered to occur from just north of

Mackay, Qld. south along the coast

and tablelands to just south of Eden,

NSW and also at Canberra, ACT. O.

carnea, the sibling species, has more

of a western, semi-arid country

distribution and is known from parts of

the Northern Territory, and in

Queensland “from Lakefield National

Park (and) Cooktown, then south

through the western Atherton

Tableland to Townsville and inland to

Forty Mile Scrub, from near

Georgetown and Mt. Surprise, the

White Mountains and from an area 96

km west of Bowen” (Lane and Edwards, 2005).

There is at least one other mistletoe feeding species, viz. O. engaea, an inland species

from south-western Queensland and north-western N.S.W. Common (1990) states

that “its larvae are also gregarious and (also) spin their cocoons on the butt of the

mistletoe on which they fed.”

O. loranthi is certainly one of Australia’s more interesting moth species and there is

still much to learn about its biology and that of its siblings. A related saturnid genus

Syntherata 1s soon to be expanded with descriptions of some new species, in an

upcoming monograph by club members David Lane and Ted Edwards. I am looking

forward to its impending publication.

Acknowledgements: I would like to thank Richard Zietek for providing the O.

loranthi cocoon cluster for photography and David Lane for general discussions on

the species.

John T. Moss

References:

Common, I.F.R. (1990). Moths of Australia. Pub.:Melbourne University Press.

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #5 1— Page 6

Lane, D.A. and Edwards, E.D. (2005). The status of Opodiphthera carnea

(Sonthonnax) and O. loranthi (Lucas) (Lepidoptera : Saturniidae) in northern and

eastern Australia. Australian Entomologist 32(2)55-64.

Moss, J.T. (2005). Butterfly Host Plants of south-east Queensland and northern New

South Wales. Second (revised) edition Pub.: BOIC Inc.

ITEMS OF INTEREST

What’s in a name?

Much discussion occurred over the last few months regarding the “naming” of our

newsletter and comments from the members have been interesting. Committee

members generally favoured “Metamorphosis (Australia)”. Other members rarely get

a “behind-the-scenes” look at the “workings” of the club but only see the end result,

our newsletter/magazine, so I have written a quick review of our past. Helen

Schwencke had an idea that grew until she felt the time was right to share this with

like-minded enthusiasts who had a desire to share their enthusiasm with others. Much

like a butterfly selecting a suitable host plant and depositing an egg in a place where it

could hatch, feed and grow to maturity, that “egg” Helen deposited was fertile. The

B.O.1LC. was “hatched” in 1994.

For the first year, the means of communication was a newsletter of a couple of A4

pages stapled together. February 1996 saw the first issue (No. |) of our newsletter in

booklet form, A5 size and consisting of 6 pages. On the cover was what became

affectionately known as the big “B”! Issue No. 2 grew to 13 pages and had a couple

of illustrations with some computer generated images of butterflies. Issue No. 3 saw

the first proper illustrations used and the big “B” remained until Issue No. 17. Since

then, a “creature” has adorned the cover, the subject of which was the Creature

Feature and, if appropriate, accompanied by a Plant Profile. Just as a caterpillar feeds

until its body has been filled to capacity, rests as a new skin forms beneath its soon to

be shed old skin before resuming its growth, so the club and the committee members

have grown collectively and individually. Sometimes the new caterpillar skin 1s so

different from its former skin, that it is unrecognizable, especially to the uninformed.

Likewise, our newsletter, has been transformed into a 36 page, glossy, colourful and

very informative magazine.

Change can be disturbing and cause resistance, but the caterpillar must surrender

itself and all that made it a caterpillar, to be re-made, inside the chrysalis, into the

beautiful butterfly it was destined and intended to be. I believe that the changes that

have occurred over time have touched all our lives but the vision remains the same

and the passion to pursue it unabated. The name “Metamorphosis” epitomizes our

journey as a club and the many collective and individual pursuits that have resulted

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #5 me Page 7

because of our shared interests and increased knowledge. Come fly with us as we

celebrate our past and embrace our future.

Lots Hughes

IS FS FS OK OS FS OK OS IS OS OK OS FS OK OK oS

Life Cycle of the Leaf-Beetle Plagiodera amphipennis (Lea)

Perhaps it was a little bit of serendipity that the life cycle of this somewhat pesky little

leaf-beetle was discovered.

My main intention in my garden was to have a selection of plants in the Salicaceae

family which would attract the Bordered Rustic butterfly Cupha prosope prosope. |

achieved that goal. However a little tag-along beetle also made its appearance in my

Brisbane garden. Unfortunately it soon became apparent that the beetle could easily

out-compete the much preferred Rustic

butterfly for those highly desirable fresh

shoots of the foodplants. To this day the

little beetle has foiled all my attempts at

eradication (my entomological curiosity

was tempered when I discovered that,

left to their own devices, they are

capable of defoliating certain foodplants

ultimately leading to the death of the

foodplant) and I have a rather persistent

colony of beetles.

The adults hibernate during the colder

months when fresh shoots of the

foodplants are not available.

Occasionally a specimen can be found

under a leaf but most are well hidden.

Come spring and as soon as the

foodplants start to grow the adults also

become active once more. Maybe both

the beetle and foodplants respond

similarly to cooling or warming of the

seasons, alternatively fresh shoots of the

foodplants may produce a chemical

signal which the beetle can detect.

Fig. 1. Egg cluster on leat of Scolopia braunii

The foodplants are all members of the

Salicaceae family with Scolopia

braunii, Xylosma terraereginae,

Flacourtia inermis, F. territorialis and

F’. sp.(Cape York) all being used.

Fig. 2. Close-up of egg cluster

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 8

Fig. 3. Larvae on Scolopia braunii Fig. 4. Mature larvae on Scolopia braunii

Interestingly F. indica 1s not used but the Rustic doesn’t use this plant either. The

larvae use only new growth while the adults will eat the semi-hardened leaves. All the

leaves of X. terraereginae are sufficiently soft for the adults to defoliate the plant.

Eggs are laid on the fresh shoots, usually on the

undersides of the leaves, in groups of 10 to 20

(see Figures | and 2). They are approximately

Imm long and have a pale yellow appearance.

The eggs hatch in 2 to 3 days with the young

larvae gregariously eating the leaf they hatched

on (see Figure 3 for typical eating pattern)

.Within about 7 days the larvae are fully grown

(see Figure 4 ) at approx. 7mm long, are black

in colour and have dispersed over the whole :

shoot they were laid on. The pupae (see Figures Fig. 5. Close-up of pupa

5 and 6) are only rarely found, usually under a —

leaf or under bark. Possibly most larvae leave

the plant and pupate in the ground litter. The

adults emerge after 4 days in January, are

approximately 5-6mm in diameter and are a

polished coppery-black colour (see Figure 7).

Interestingly they appear to have very few

predators in the garden allowing their numbers

to increase rapidly. However in forest areas

they are very rarely seen. I have seen paper

wasps and ants attack the larvae while the

adults are killed by predatory bugs. Adults feed

openly and normally remain on the foodplant Fig. 6. Pupa and pupating larvae

often in large numbers. All Chrysomelid

VIPIPT PT DT PT PAPI PT PT PFT PPP Pee be Pe hd Pe

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 9

beetles have secretory glands which assist in

deterring predators. In addition the adults

readily drop to the ground if disturbed thus

helping to avoid predators.

Acknowledgement — I would like to thank

Chris Reid of the Australian Museum for

beetle identification and proof reading of the

manuscript.

Dennis Bell

Photos by Dennis Bell

Fig. 7. Adult beetle Plagiodera sp.

i i i ie i i i i i i i i i ie

Life History Notes on the Scalloped Grass-yellow, Eurema alitha

(C&R Felder 1862) Lepidoptera: Pieridae

During the first week of April 2008 a field trip involving five BOIC members was

undertaken to Stanage in Central Coastal Queensland (See introductory article written

by Graham Forbes, BOIC Newsletter Issue No. 49).

Graham mentioned in

his article the amazing

number of freshly

emerged grass-yellow

butterflies on the

wing. A number of

specimens were netted

F to confirm the species.

Eurema alitha (Scalloped Grass-yellow) It was noted that the

majority of the

specimens captured

were of the very

common species

Eurema hecabe

(Large Grass-yellow).

However, flying

amongst this species

were also numerous

Eurema hecabe (Large Grass-yellow) Eurema alitha

mM F

(Scalloped Grass-

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 10

yellow). The adults of both species were encountered

throughout the grassy understorey of patchy dry vine

scrub thickets on the headlands where the

inconspicuous host vines were established growing

low amongst the grasses and other ground cover

vegetation. Adults of the two species were also

encountered in the grassy, more open woodlands

located nearby.

At around midday a female was observed on the

leeward side of the headland (protected from the quite

gusty easterly wind!), ovipositing on a known host

plant Glycine tabacina (A.J. King, in Braby, 2000). Egg of Eurema alitha

Typically the flight pattern was similar to other

females of the Eurema genus. The female was observed fluttering slowly, close to the

eround amongst grass stalks where the thin twining host vines were established. Once

a suitable position was located she settled on the host plant. With her wings closed

the abdomen was curled onto the host plant where a single egg was laid. The female

repeated the process several times laying several eggs, chiefly on fresher leaves of the

thin-stemmed host plant. It was confirmed that the eggs are laid on either side of the

leaves. (A.J. King, in Braby, 2000). Several eggs were collected for further study.

They are pale yellow approximately 1.3mm high x 0.5mm wide.

Soon after the first instar larvae emerged, the eggshells were consumed (as per A.J.

King observation in Braby 2000).

The smaller larvae rest on the underside of the leaves and graze on the softer leaf

tissue, leaving most of the coarser veins and the upper epidermis intact. As the larvae

progress in size they typically feed from the outer edge of the host leaf.

The larvae are cunningly

camouflaged on the host

plant making detection

difficult. They move very

sluggishly. Although a

considerable amount of time

Early instar larva of Eurema alitha was spent observing several

larvae in captivity, I rarely

saw them feeding. They feed during daylight hours as do other Australian Eurema

larvae. The larva pictured completed five instars. Both the larvae and pupae of E.

alitha have a bluish grey appearance compared with the green of E. hecabe, reflecting

the colour of the host vine.

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 11

The life cycle duration from egg to pupa (raised 1n captivity at Beaudesert in SE

Queensland during April/May 2008) was 32 days; the egg 4 days, larva 18 days and

pupa 10 days respectively.

Eurema hecabe final instar larva Eurema alitha final instar larva (length 24mm)

The most accurate way to identify the adults of the two species 1s to raise them on

their specific host plants. The only known documented host plant for E. alitha in

Australia 1s Glycine tabacina.

However, most adults of E£. alitha can generally be placed by the definite scalloping

along the inside edge of the black margin of the hindwing upperside and the two

yellow equidistant indentations along the black margin of the forewing upperside.

Note: some adult females of the Large Grass-yellow (Eurema hecabe) may also have

slight scalloping along the inside edge of the black margin of the hindwing upperside,

but is generally not as pronounced (as per the female EF. hecabe pictured). The adults

of E. alitha are generally a brighter, richer yellow than E. hecabe.

Eurema hecabe pupa Eurema alitha pupa (length 18mm)

Even though Eurema alitha can be locally common there 1s little doubt that

observations of the adults have been overlooked due to the similarities of the two

species in size, coloration and flight behavior and the absence of this species from the

well known books by Common and Waterhouse, “The revised edition Butterflies of

Australia’ (1981) or the ‘Butterflies of Australia field edition’ (1981). It has since

been included in both books by M.F. Braby “Butterflies of Australia — Their

Identification, Biology and Distribution’ (2000) and ‘The Complete Field Guide to

Butterflies of Australia’ (2004).

Distribution records for £. alitha (particularly in SE Queensland) may possibly be

extended with further observations or collecting where the Glycine host vines are

established. Newly emerged adults were also found commonly during April 2008

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 12

northwest of Childers near the Perry River at approximately 9km NW of ‘One Tree

Hill’, Goodnight Scrub NP (A.F. Atkins, W. Jenkinson, J.T.Moss). The species was

previously known from Raglan Creek 65 km south of Rockhampton (E. Scheermeyer)

approximately 200 km further north (Braby 2000). A record from Buderim SEQ (J.

Neilson, per comm.) needs confirmation.

Wesley Jenkinson

Photos by Wesley Jenkinson

Reference: Braby, M.F., 2000. Butterflies of Australia — Their Identification, Biology

and Distribution. vol one. CSIRO Publishing.

oS ie i i i i i i i ie

Further notes on the Scalloped Grass-yellow(Eurema alitha) and its

hostplants

Our club’s “Green Book”: Butterfly

Hostplants of south-east Queensland and

northern New South Wales currently lists (as

asterisked on p.28) only Glycine tabacina

(fam. Fabaceae) as a host for Eurema alitha.

However, due to a transposition error the

“reverse” listing of E. alitha hostplants (on

p.46) also includes G. clandestina and G.

tomentella (hosts for the Common Grass Blue,

Zizina labradus!) At this time these two are

“possible” hostplants and further observations

should elucidate whether they are also utilized

by the butterfly.

The distribution of G. tabacina extends

through southern Queensland into northern

New South Wales, so potentially the butterfly

could be more widespread than the new

anv southern limit at approximate latitude

Glycine tabacina Bundaberg (see W. Jenkinson’s article this

issue).

Club member Alan King, who initially discovered E. alitha on G. tabacina at

Townsville (Braby, 1997) has since found that larvae go through on two related

trifoliate leaved legumes viz. Galactia muelleri and G. tenuiflora (fam. Fabaceae).

The latter has a wide distribution throughout Queensland. Alan says that these are the

preferred hostplants in the Townsville area. As in G. tabacina, these species have

leaflets which are glaucous-grey on the underside (A.J. King, pers. comm..).

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 13

Graham McDonald, another club member,

recently observed (autumn 2008) a large Eurema

species female ovipositing on the legume Goodia

lotifolia (fam. Fabaceae) at Mudgeeraba SEQ (G.

McDonald, pers. comm.). It 1s quite possible that

the species was E. alitha as that would be

consistent with the plant family preference,

although E. hecabe also uses hostplants in the

family Fabaceae. However, whereas Glycine

and Galactia are purple, mauve or pink flowered

small vine/scramblers, Goodia lotifolia

(sometimes called “Clover-leaved Poison”!) 1s a

trifoliate leaved shrub up to 3 metres tall with

bright yellow flowers.

Other club members are encouraged to look for

this butterfly especially where its hostplants are Galactia tenuiflora

found. It is not easy to recognize or distinguish from E. hecabe (the Common or

Large Grass-yellow) at rest, let alone on the wing. The definitive upper-side wing

markings (as mentioned in the previous article, by Wes. Jenkinson) are difficult to see

unless the resting butterfly co-operates by opening its wings. Sometimes it 1s possible

to see the characteristic markings from

the side if the sun is shining strongly

through the closed wings. The only

reliable way is to catch the butterfly,

cool it down 1n the refrigerator to

prevent damage and pare open the

wings carefully with flat-bladed

forceps. Ifitis not required as a

voucher specimen, the butterfly can

Goodia lotifolia then be safely released.

John Moss

Photos by Glenn Leiper

Reference: Braby, M.F., 1997. Occurrence of Eurema alitha (C. & R. Felder)

(Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in Australia and its distinction from EF. hecabe (Linnaeus).

Aust. J. entomol. 36:153-157.

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Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 14

Studies of the eggs and larvae of the Richmond Birdwing butterfly

(Ornithoptera richmondia)

Under an endorsement on Permit No. WISP00582002, issued to Dr. Don Sands on

behalf of the Richmond Birdwing Recovery Network, to handle immature stages of

the Birdwing Butterfly, I have studied eggs and larvae of the Richmond Birdwing

butterfly.

The egg

is 2.5 mm

diameter,

generally

glued to

the

underside

of the leaf

of the

food

plant. It

is bright

yellow in

colour

with a

eranular, sometimes lumpy surface. The egg is slightly flattened where it 1s stuck to

the leaf, the glue forming a meniscus about the egg which 1s easily seen with a little

magnification. It seems likely that the egg 1s formed with this flattened area so as to

facilitate its attachment to the leaf. That butterflies can orientate eggs before

depositing is clear

— think of the eggs

of the Pieridae

glued to a leaf on

end, the correct

way up.

ar -

| >

; A |

\ 7 \

4 4

sO » ‘3

Hatching larva '

eggshell and showing osmeterium.

As the embryo

develops the yellow

colour fades and,

on some eggs, a

Newly emerged larvae displaying a strange orange colour which changes light C overing of

to black within an hour or two.

fungus appears.

DIDDY PAPI PT Pe PT PT PT Pa Pe PP PT Pe Pa Pe Pe bg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 15

After about two weeks the caterpillar appears as a black spot in the centre of the egg.

With careful observation, and a lot of luck, the caterpillar may be seen moving. Any

sign of movement indicates that the caterpillar 1s about to hatch.

With further observation, the caterpillar can be seen eating its way out of the egg. It

then crawls out and rests for about an hour before turning round and eating the

eggshell and the glue - its first meal. Some of the caterpillars are orange in colour

changing to jet-black within the hour. The whole of the eggshell 1s not always eaten.

If irritated, the newly hatched caterpillar will protrude its osmeterium.

The caterpillar is 4mm long when it hatches but radically different from later instars,

being covered with sharp pointed branching black spines. These spines remain until

the first instar when they are replaced with the soft, gently curving spines tipped with

red generally associated with Birdwing caterpillars.

The question is, why this great change? This author’s hypothesis 1s that the spines

are protective. It 1s well known that Birdwing larvae are sometimes cannibals, so

these spines could be a protection for the very small and slowly moving larvae.

This author has noticed spines on early instars of other species, the Orchard

Swallowtail for instance. These spines generally become smaller during later instars

and generally disappear by about the third or fourth instar.

A point of interest - Birdwing eggs appear spherical at first

glance, but of course they are not. They have a

flattened area which can be glued to a leaf. This means that

the egg has to be orientated before it is deposited on to a

small dab of glue on a leaf. Over the years I have seen two

eggs which were incorrectly orientated, neither had been

fertilised. This is a photograph of one of them, which

shows the large flat area.

Photos by Hilton Selvey Hilton Selvey

Se i i i i ee Se Se Se Se Se

Fully grown at 1 cm!

The smallest praying mantis 1n the

world, at a mini lcm in length fully

crown, 1s the Brown Ground mantis

(Bolbe pygmaea) - a native to Australia.

It was described in 1871 and 1s

unpredictable, being small and fast. The

Brown Ground mantis mainly eats

midges, small moths etc. Swaying its

little arms left and right, like most small _

breeds of mantis when confronted, can

deter or confuse a predator and the Boloe pygmae - Photo by Ben Jacob

. oJ “4 iy —

.: = ~-—-

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 16

mantid’s speed allows its getaway. Light brown coloration over its whole body with a

horizontal stripe across the eyes and through the occelli helps it blend in with its

background. Unlike the largest mantis in the world - the Malaysian Feathered mantis -

the odds of the Brown Ground mantis being attacked by a bird would probably be

very low. Its antennae are long and curled at the tip and can sense vibrations around it

to track prey.

Did you know? Statilia apicalis 1s a far-ranging species of mantis found in Asia,

Africa, and Oceania. S. apicalis' range includes Australia, New Guinea, New

Caledonia, India, Sulawesi, China, Sumba, Timor, the Philippines, Ghana, Guinea,

and the Congo River area.

Ben Jacob

Ed.: New member, 13 year old Ben, 1s a first time contributor. We look forward to

hearing more from him.

I i i i i Se i Ee i is ie

Now available: a field key to the lycaenid butterflies of the Top

End and Kimberley

Franklin D.C., Bisa D. 2008. Field key to the lycaenid butterflies of the Top End and

Kimberley. Northern Territory Naturalist 20: 1-18.

A field key to the 41 species of lycaenid butterflies (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) that

occur in the monsoonal Top End and Kimberley regions of north-western Australia

has recently been published. The key is designed to complement Michael Braby’s

2004 field guide to Australian butterflies and includes sketches of key characters.

A pdf on this paper 1s available on-line for free download at

http://www. geocities.com/ntfieldnaturalists/journal.htm.

I Ee ie i ie i i ei

Summary of methods and results of

Aspects of the biology and behaviour of Ligia exotica - the Wharf

‘Louse’

Acknowledgements

Robyn Barden and Femke Schaaf, for organising CSIRO SRS 2007

Martyn Robinson, for supervising, providing information and equipment

George "Buzz" Wilson, for providing information

The Australian Museum, for providing a venue and equipment

Background and Methods

Sea-slaters, beach-lice or wharf-lice (Ligia spp ) are commonly seen inhabitants of

the intertidal zones of Australian sea-shores and estuaries. They are important

members of the food chain as decomposers of tide washed detritus. Ligia spp. are

often active by day and are known to have compound eyes and good vision — this

latter 1s easily proven if you've ever tried to catch them.

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51-— Page 17

As such it was thought they might make useful study animals for a CSIRO Student

Research Project.

Australia is recorded as having only 2

species - Ligia exotica (a

cosmopolitan species) and Ligia

australiensis (an endemic species) —

but there are most likely to be other

unrecorded species yet to be

classified.

Examination of our Ligia collected

from near Mrs Macquarie's Chair in

Sydney Harbour, showed them to be

Ligia exotica. This was determined

according to a key created by Alison

Green in 1974. According to this key,

the telson of the Ligia exotica should be an acute median angle and the eyes should

have been less than one eye breadth apart. This is what was found.

The Sea Slater Ligia exotica

There 1s a little about the biology of L. exotica in the literature from overseas sources,

but almost nothing recorded from Australia.

Therefore the purpose of this series of experiments was to observe and investigate

these Ligia specimens collected from Sydney Harbour and to determine their

preferences for salinity, pH and food; ability to aggregate using chemicals or scent;

amount of food consumed; predilection to certain amounts of light; their speed; their

ability to change colour; and

their intelligence based on

the results.

We put the Ligia through a

preferential setup consisting

of plastic food containers

with 25 mm clear plastic

tubing linking 3 such

containers together in a 'V'

formation so that the animals

placed in the middle

containers had a clear choice

of which tube to travel down

to reach one of the two

variables being tested. In the Some of the test apparatus showing tube leading to two or

maze test a plastic fishing more choices for the Ligia to pick from.

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 18

tackle box was used with gaps cut in the patricians to allow the animals access to

various parts of the maze.

Five Ligia were used 1n each setup. All containers had a small amount of water in the

bottom — harbour water was used in the control containers. Most experiments were

left overnight and the presence/absence of the Ligia in each choice container was

recorded in the morning.

During the time period in which the Ligia exotica were observed, other habits and

behaviours were also noted.

Conclusions

Sadly within two weeks, almost all of the Ligia died. Several variables were tested,

including temperature and food, but as none of these produced any effect the cause 1s

still unknown. One theory for this die-off was that the Ligia were affected by the lack

of salinity in the water of their tank, but this has yet to be proven. (N.B. a colony of

the same species has been maintained and even bred at the museum for several

months with varying salinity — seemingly with little effect — as these are at more or

less constant temperature perhaps excess heat during the early summer was the cause?

Ed.)

The following information has been provided by the experimentation and

observations on Ligia exotica:

|. Ligia exotica appear to have no preference for salt or fresh water. They appear to

be able to live happily in either.

2. Prefer the pH of harbour water over slightly acidic or basic water however they are

able to tolerate slightly acidic water, but not basic (alkaline) water.

3. Prefer marine algae to freshwater algae, brown kelp or fish-food flakes. Even

though brown kelp and green algae were both found at the same location, the Ligia

exotica showed a clear preference for green algae. The Ligia exotica are also able to

utilise their sense of smell to detect food that they can't see when this was hidden

under opaque plastic caps.

4. Aggregate using chemicals. The Ligia exotica seem drawn to the rocks that had

been previously used in other experiments. The most likely explanation 1s that they

used scent to find the rocks they wanted — the ones that had been previously used by

and therefore smelled of other Ligia exotica as opposed to unused rock.

5. Ligia can consume more than body weight in algae within 24 hours. Ligia exotica

are able to process large amounts of food for their size. It is not known if they have

fast metabolisms or if they derive little nutrient from their food.

6. Show no preference to light over shade. Ligia exotica as a whole seem to prefer

darker light conditions to bright. They do however move into bright light and back

into shade, possibly to raise their body temperature.

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #5 iS Page 19

7. Move at an average of 1m/12.8secs. Tire quickly. Ligia exotica can move very

quickly when scared or alarmed. This rapid movement seems to tire them quickly

however.

8. Can change colour in different types of light. Ligia exotica have the ability to

change their colour depending on the amount of light and or possibly heat (UV).

9. Ligia exotica are not especially inquisitive or responsive in an essentially 2D

environment

10. Ligia exotica don't seem to display any problem solving intelligence tests/mazes.

The maze was solved overnight in the first instance but took only 2 hours in the

second run through.

Other Observations

Ligia exotica appear to be highly sociable animals, with complex communication

systems involving uropod movement and antennae ‘fencing’. Social interactions are

frequent. There also appear to be hierarchies of sorts; some Ligia exotica have been

observed pushing others off rocks, or walking over the top of others. Their impressive

ability to jump at least 6cm with great force has not been explained as they seem to

have no specialised jumping limbs. Their soft bodies make them unlikely candidates

for the harbour rocks on which they live. In addition to this the following was

observed.

They have the ability to regenerate lost legs, uropods and antennae. The lost limbs

regenerate underneath the exoskeleton. They reappear when the exoskeleton is shed.

Ligia exotica shed their exoskeleton 1n stages. They shed the back half first and then

once the back legs and uropods have hardened, the front half is shed. It is thought that

this is done to prevent predators from making them easy prey. By having half of their

body still usable, they are able to walk, swim and run to safety.

Female Ligia exotica carry the young in a brood pouch that 1s located under the

thorax. The eggs that she carries are a bright orange colour because the yolk is visible

through the plates on the underbelly, and neither the eggs nor young receive nutrients

from female.

Ligia exotica can walk backwards, however, it appears to be an undesirable

movement for them.

Ligia exotica can also walk underwater without trouble.

Ligia exotica are able to raise their tails to remove unwanted water from their gills.

Marc Roddis & Frances O'Brien 2007

Photos by Marc Roddis (edited by M. Robinson)

References

Green, Alison "Species of Ligia found in Australia" Letters. 1971 and 1974

Hale, Herbert M. The Crustaceans of South Australia Adelaide: Harrison Weir, 1929

(pg 340- 341)

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #5 1— Page 20

Anderson, D.T. "Plate 47" Diagrams. (No date, book title or publisher has been

provided. )

NEW HOST PLANTS

New hostplants for the notodontid moth Neola semiaurata

We recently found larvae of the moth, Neola semiaurata on Cassia sp. Paluma Range

(Caesalpiniaceae), which currently is included in the taxon Cassia qgueenslandica and

Acacia fimbriata form perangusta (Mimosaceae). They both went through successfully

to adulthood, on these plants.

larva Neola semiaurata adult

From our reading it would appear that these are new host plant records and in the case of

the former a new family record. lan Common (1990) has it recorded for other Acacia,

Albizia (Mimosaceae) and Dodonaea (Sapindaceae).

Sue Pearce, the Nursery Manager for Fingal Head Coastcare, has reported the larvae

of Neola semiaurata on Cryptocarya triplinervis (Lauraceae) which is also a new

host record and new plant family record.

The winking eye spot

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51-— Page 21

These spectacular looking larvae can vary in colour from brown to pinkish-brown to

red. When disturbed they raise their rear end and display a pair of hidden eye spots

which are contained in bilateral skin folds.

N. semiaurata 1s a member of the Notodontidae family of moths, the forewing is greenish-

black with whitish-grey markings and the hindwing is yellow with a brownish suffusion

around the edges. They have a wingspan of about 6cm.

Peter Hendry & John Moss

Photos by Peter Hendry

i i i Se i i ie a

Two new hostplants for the Orchard Swallowtail, Papilio aegeus

The BOIC publication “Butterfly Host Plants of Southeast Queensland and northern

New South Wales” lists 25 larval food plants for the Orchard Swallowtail, all of

which are in the family Rutaceae (Moss, 2005). The CSIRO’s “Butterflies of

Australia” lists 28 native and 10 exotic species, all again in the Rutaceae (Braby,

2000).

In view of this apparent absolute preference for rutacids, 1t came as no surprise when

I observed several final instar larvae devouring the young foliage of an Axebreaker

Tree (Coatesia paniculata)

in riparian rainforest along

the Perry River, west of

Bundaberg in December

2005. Both Geijera

parviflora (Wilga) and G.

salicifolia var. latifolia

(Broad-leaved Brush

Wilga) are known

hostplants and C.

paniculata was formerly

in that genus.

Leiper et al (2008) says of

C’. paniculata : It 1s an

“uncommon tree to 5m of drier rainforests. Crushed leaves (are) aromatic. The

leaves (are) alternate, thick, glabrous, to 10cm (long), dark and glossy above, paler

below. (Has) 3mm diam. 5-petalled white flowers in panicles in Spring.”

Coatesia paniculata

Since that observation, club member Anne Collins has found larvae on Axebreaker at

her Mt. Cotton property in the Redlands and several of us, on the April 2008 Stanage

trip, found larvae on Axebreaker in coastal vine scrub at Stanage Bay, north of

Rockhampton (Forbes et al, 2008).

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #5 1— Page 22

Another interesting larval food plant was noted by Mrs. Jan Sked, editor of the

Society for Growing Australian Plants — Queensland Region — news bulletin and

experienced amateur botanist. She found P. aegeus larvae on the rutacid Medicosma

cunninghamii (“Pink Heart’) in her garden at Lawnton over recent years. The plant

erows commonly in surrounding bushland and it may well be a preferred local

hostplant for P. aegeus.

Leiper et al (2008) describe this

species as “a shrub or small tree to

10m. Leaves opposite, hairless, to

15cm (long), aromatic when

crushed. Lightly fragrant, 4-

petalled white flowers to 25mm in

axillary panicles throughout the

year.”

J.T. Moss

Photos by Glenn Leiper

Medicosma cunninghamii

References

Braby, M.F. 2000. Butterflies of Australia. Their Identification, Biology and

Distribution. Vol 1 CSIRO Publishing.

Forbes, G; Atkins, A.; Jenkinson, W.; Kendall, R.; Moss, J.T. 2008. Butterfly species

observed at Stanage April 2008 in Metamorphosis Australia No. 50 September

2008.

Leiper, G.; Glazebrook, J.; Cox, D.; Rathie, K. 2008. Mangroves to Mountains.

Revised edition. Logan River Branch, SGAP (Qld. Region) Inc.

Moss, J.T. 2005. Butterfly Host Plants of south-east Queensland and northern New

South Wales. Second (Revised) edition B.O.LC. Inc.

AUSTRALIAN NATIVE BEES #15

WAR AND PEACE - PART 3

You no longer have to be concerned that I will exceed the length of Tolstoy’s

masterpiece of the same name with this article, for this part brings to a conclusion my

account of these aspects of stingless bee life.

Previously we have looked at the nature of fighting swarms and a couple of the

recognised causative factors, but of equal concern to beekeepers faced with the

distressing scene of their bees fighting 1s how to stop this needless loss of bee lives.

Ideally we should intervene before the battle begins and at times the bees do give us

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51- Page 23

some indications that tensions are rising between opposing forces. As mentioned in

Part 1, a relatively tightly formed swarm of stingless bees may quite suddenly appear

and hold station in front of a particular hive for several hours. Sometimes pairs of

bees can be seen to lock together in combat and drop out of the swarm, only to release

each other in flight or on the ground and return to the swarm above. This may be the

bees’ way of testing out the strength of their opponents, and it 1s often the prelude to

more serious conflict.

However, we often miss these preliminaries and don’t become aware of the battle that

has taken place in our garden that day until we return home in the evening and notice

a large number of dead or dying bees lying on the ground 1n front of a hive. The

cause of the loss 1s easily recognised by the experienced stingless beekeeper because

of the number of dead bees that are still locked together in fighting pairs.

It is not unusual for the

swarm to reassemble the

next day (and on subsequent

days) to re-engage in their

war of attrition so the

question for beekeepers in

that situation is what can

they do to intervene and

prevent further losses.

Several techniques have

been tried; some bringing

about a temporary halt to

hostilities while others can

be more effective in the

longer term. It may be

necessary to combine two or

more of these methods to try

to bring about a more lasting

Scavenging ants benefit from the outcome of fighting swarms

as they drag another fallen combatant from the battlefield. peace.

Hosing the swarm with a garden hose or sprinkler can dampen their enthusiasm for

war for a while, but I prefer to use one of those hand held mist spray bottles filled

with water to which I have added just a few drops of eucalyptus oil. A fine mist

sprayed over the swarm will usually cause it to disperse and the smell of the

eucalyptus may help to disguise the scent of any pheromones they could be releasing

into the air to call their colleagues to battle. A small piece of timber or a curtain of

shade cloth or the like positioned in front of the entrance of the hive under attack (but

not blocking the entrance) can confuse friend and foe alike and reduce the level of

hostility.

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #5 1— Page 24

These methods usually only provide a brief respite, but they may give you enough

time to put in place more permanent ceasefire measures, before battle can be resumed.

These other measures include splitting one or both of the hives involved in the

conflict or removing the hive under attack to a new location a kilometre or more

away.

However, 1n a crowded collection of stingless beehives there can be no guarantee that

any of these methods will bring about total and lasting peace. You might recall that in

part 2 of this series I mentioned that scientific sampling of fighting swarms revealed

the presence of bees from hives other than the two main contenders in the fight. These

bees represented a significant proportion of the attacking force indicating that once

aggression has been unleashed it may trigger belligerence in otherwise peaceful

neighbouring hives.

Having described fighting swarms in such vivid detail to date, it 1s probably

appropriate at this juncture to include a few words of reassurance for the novice

beekeeper. While the outcome of fighting swarms looks dramatic and there is no

doubt that the loss of so many foragers

must weaken the hives involved, it 1s

unusual for such behaviour to result in

the total loss of a colony.

Fortunately, peace reigns for most of the

time in the stingless bee world and

during these long periods of détente it is

not uncommon to see another type of

swarm build up and hover in the vicinity

of a particular hive. Unlike the tight

belligerent formation seen in fighting

swarms these bees adopt a looser lazier

pattern to their flight. For you see,

fighting swarms are made up exclusively

of female worker bees, while these more

peaceful assemblies are drone swarms.

Comprised entirely of male bees, the

participants of these swarms are only

interested in making love — not war.

Trigona carbonaria drones sometimes cluster

on thin twigs at night.

Presumably pheromones released by

emerging virgin queens cause drones to

assemble in significant numbers in the vicinity of hives that may be intending to re-

queen or to establish a new colony. Their patience seems to know no bounds. During

fine weather these swarms will form up each morning and take up station in the same

place for days or even weeks on end. Cruising aimlessly about in the warm sunshine

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 25

while waiting for the object of their desire to emerge may seem fairly idyllic, but it’s

not all beer and skittles for these ardent suitors.

Those from more distant hives are forced to camp out 1f they don’t want to miss the

action next day and can be seen at night clustered on the thin branches and twigs in

the vicinity. When the queen finally emerges for her mating flight it 1s believed that

she flies quickly upwards on a testing course to ensure that the weaker males fall by

the wayside and that only a drone with the ‘right stuff will father her future

daughters. At such times the drones will leave their station en masse and sometimes,

after an initial wave like action, the swarm will climb steeply, only to resume its

previous position some time later.

A stingless bee queen will engage in only one mating flight in her life and DNA

evidence indicates that during that event she will mate with only one drone. However,

the remaining bachelors in the swarm will continue their now futile patrol until

predators and exhaustion take their inevitable toll.

John Klumpp

Photos by John Klumpp

AT THE LIGHT TRAP

A First Lime_Eneounter

Since I first read about the moth family

Alucitidae I have been fascinated by these

feathery little critters. Known as Many

Plume Moths. Their wings are deeply

divided and take on the appearance of

feathers.

This specimen came to a light trap

at my bush block west of Bundaberg. It

was the first time I had set up the trap in

amongst the dry vine scrub along the river.

This was my first encounter with a moth

from the Alucitidae family.

In Australia, the family is

represented by six named species with others yet to be described. I was unable to put

a name on my specimen, but as all the known Australian species belong to the genus

Aluctia, it’s a fair bet mine does too. It is a very small moth with a wingspan of only

7mm. If anyone can name it I would be happy to hear from you.

Alucita sp.

Peter Hendry

Photo by Peter Hendry

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51- Page 26

Saturniidae

“Look out, bats!’ was the cry at a

recent light trap 27km N.W. of

Ingham. It was two male Hercules

moths, Coscinocera hercules,

followed 1n quick succession by three

more. With a rather ungainly flight

they would circle the light then slam

themselves into the ground, from

which, some time later, they would

rise again and repeat the process.

After a while they settled completely

and at the end of the night one was

placed on the wall of a shed, where it

remained all night. It was still there

when we left at about 8am. The

female C. hercules is the largest Australian moth, by wing area, and one of the largest

in the world. I was pleasantly surprised to see these moths, as Ian Common in his

work, Moths of Australia, states that adults are on the wing from January to April

with a few emerging at other times of the year. To see them in October in these

numbers was wonderful. Further north near Innisfail a single male came to light and

one again at Babinda. On the return trip, about 12km from the Ingham site, a further

five specimens came to light, including one female. Unlike the first occasion these

specimens were more inclined to land on the light sheet and I managed to photograph

four on the sheet at once.

C’ hercules 1s a member of the Saturniidae family of moths that belong to the

superfamily Bombycoidea. Worldwide the Saturniidae contains approximately 1861

species in 162 genera and nine subfamilies (Regier et al.). In Australia we are blessed

with only about 15 species, all belonging to the one subfamily Saturniinae. Unlike

most moths, the Saturniidae lack the

coupling devices known as the frenulum

and retinaculum, which locks the fore and

hind wings together in flight. This might

explain the ungainly flight of the large C.

hercules.

The first Saturniidae I had come

to light at home, Sheldon (near Brisbane)

is amember of Australia’s largest genus,

Opodiphthera. The moth was a female

Emperor Gum Moth, Opodiphthera

Opodiphthera eucalypti male eucalypti. She came to light on the night

b .

~ . €

. —

Coscinocera hercules male

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 27

of the 22" September 2007 and blessed me with three eggs, two of which went

through to pupation and remain in that state today. This was followed by two males

on the following night, a further male on the 28" September and another female on

the 16'" November 2007. I have also had one male come to light at my bush block

west of Bundaberg.

first instar Opodiphthera eucalypti larvae final instar

The larvae of this species, as the name implies, feed on eucalypts. It has also

been recorded on the introduced pepper tree, Schinus molle and silver birch Betula

pendula (Common,1990). In their later instars the larvae are green with a cream stripe

along the side and covered in blue-tipped orange tubular structures, known as scol1,

from which project several setae or hairs.

Other Opodiphthera that have

come to light at Sheldon include the

species O. helena. The first male

appeared on the 19" January 2008 and

one more on the 8" February 2008 and

as recently as the 7" November 2008

another male appeared. At Deepwater,

south of Tenterfield NSW, O. helena has

appeared on two occasions. On the 27"

September 2008 I had seven arrive in the

one night! O. helena larvae also feed on

Opodiphthera loranthi male Opodiphthera astrophela male Syntherata janetta male

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 28

eucalypts and have also been recorded on Birch. The Mistletoe Emperor Moth,

Opodiphthera loranthi, has made one appearance at Sheldon on the night of the 22"

February 2008. John Moss and Ross Kendall have also recorded it on my bush block

west of Bundaberg. The larvae of O. loranthi feed on mistletoe (see article this issue).

The final Opodiphthera I have had come to light is O. astrophela. It was 1n rainforest

NW of Murwillumbah on the night of the 16" October 2007. The males of this

species are yellow while the females are reddish-grey. The larvae of O. astrophela,

are known to feed on Flindersia, Alphitonia and Callicoma.

The only other Saturniidae I have had come to light 1s Syntherata janetta.

This first occurred on my bush block west of Bundaberg on the 27" January 2008. On

a recent trip to North Queensland in October 2008, 1t came to light on several

occasions between Mackay and Babinda. S. janetta is a variably coloured species

with adults in yellow (with variable brownish markings), reddish and grey. The larvae

have been reported on a large array of plants, the families of which include, Rutaceae,

Euphorbiaceae, Myrsinaceae, Rubiaceae and Podocarpaceae (Common, 1990).

Colour forms of Syntherata janetta

Peter Hendry

Photos by Peter Hendry

References:

Common, I.F.B. (1990). Moths of Australia. Pub. Melbourne University Press.

Regier, Jerome C.; Grant, Michael C.; Mitter, Charles; Cook, Christopher P.; Peigler,

Richard S.; Rougerie, Rodolphe. Phylogenetic relationships of wild silkmoths

(Lepidoptera: Saturniudae) inferred from four protein-coding nuclear genes.

Systematic Entomology, Volume 33, Number 2, April 2008, pp. 219-228.

ee i ee ee

Correction:

Ed.: In issue #50, p.28, At the Light Trap, I duplicated a

photo of a moth in the Anthela acuta group. The photo

which should have appeared was of this moth, Munychryia

senicula. My apologies Peter.

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Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 29

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

Whilst trying to photograph the egg of Hypochrysops delicia duaringae, | was

fortunate enough to capture images of a larva hatching. These photos show the

progression from complete egg, to the larva eating a hole through the micropyle on

the top of the egg, crawling out and then posing for a photo.

Bob Miller

Photos by Bob Miller using club camera/microscope

Complete egg of

Hypochrysops delicia duaringae Larvae beginning to hatch

. Dale ae ; hie

—_

Larva emerging from egg First instar larva of Hypochrysops delicia duaringae

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #5 1— Page 30

BOOK REVIEW

“MOTHOLOGY: Discover the Magic - Moths and Moth Art from the

World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics of Queensland, Australia” by Buck

Richardson.

This is a book 1n two parts. In the first, Buck

describes his introduction to moths and displays

images of some 360 live moths. The second part

illustrates the computer-generated artwork Buck has

created from his moth images. It is my intention to

comment on the first part and for Lois Hughes, our

resident artist, to comment on the second.

In the introduction Buck first talks about the

World Heritage listed Wet Tropics, followed by a

section titled “Gone Mothing”’. In this section I found many parallels with my own

experience into the introduction of the moth world. I particularly enjoyed how he

went about naming moths before discovering their true name! Hawk moths were

known as “Concordes” and names like “big rich brown with orange middle” and

“two-tone green” were used. My imagination does not carry that far and any moth |

recognise but cannot remember its name, I just call “Me Mate’! By the end of a

night’s mothing I can have a light sheet full of “Me Mates”, all different and

belonging to different families!! Buck then goes on to talk about “T'axonomics”’

followed by images of some of Australia’s most beautiful moths.

While not a scientific work, it is a wonderful resource of moth images, all

with scientific name, family and sub family where applicable. I noted that in a review

of this book by Dave Britton, for the Society for Insect Studies, he mentions an error.

On page 13 the moth labelled Zelleria isopyrrha Arctiidae Lithosiinae, is in fact

Calamidia hirta. Z. isopyrrha belongs to the family Yponomautidae. All of the

images were taken at Kuranda, North Queensland but many of these moths have

come to light here at Sheldon, South Queensland and many will occur further south.

I would recommend this book to any with an interest in our natural history or

all things beautiful. My only criticism is that I am not a fan of the landscape format in

which it 1s presented.

MOTHOLOGY : DISCOVER THE MAGIC

Moths cml Metts Ari & is arid Pestana leted ‘eat Treg of shomd A |

Peter Hendry

Review of Buck Richardson’s book “Mothology”

“Vision sets you free from the limitations of what the eyes can see and

allows you to enter into the liberty of what the heart can feel. It 1s vision that

makes the unseen visible and the unknown possible.” (This quote is taken

from the Foreword of “The Principles and Power of Vision” by Dr. Myles

Munroe. )

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51- Page 31

Buck Richardson has tapped into this source, which sets his book and art works

above the ordinary. As my assignment is to comment on the artistic merits of his

work I will leave the correctness or otherwise of the scientific aspects of it to those

considered qualified to do so. Time will reveal the truth of those theories and

assumptions.

In the first 11 pages, Buck leads us on a delightful journey of discovery and reaches

out with refreshing enthusiasm, seeking to draw us into this secret and mysterious

world of these creatures of the night, perhaps hoping that we too will be captivated,

obsessed even, with “mothology”. His quirky sense of humour is evident throughout

the book as well as in his art works, eg. his substitution of “Forward” with

‘“Forewing’’sets the tone from the very beginning.

He gently challenges us to not only conserve but to actually celebrate and pursue life,

not exploiting, but living harmoniously with and being good “care-takers” of the land

we have been entrusted with, for the benefit of all. He leads by example.

From pages 12 to 39 his stunning moth photos are a feast for the eyes. Decoratively

displayed (and named) many on black backgrounds, some merging mysteriously, as if

still camouflaged by the blanket of darkness from which they came. My very

favourite is of a stunning Hawk Moth, Daphnis protrudens, on page 35. Coming a

close second 1s the large Spirama recessa, with huge eyes, looking like “a man with a

moustache”!

On pages 40 and 41 Buck reveals that his interest in moths began from a

photographer’s point of view and I quote —

“When each of my images came up on the computer screen for the first time

I was constantly amazed and delighted at the variety of these truly beautiful

creatures. The patterns on their wings, simple or complex, bold or tonal in

colour, always perfectly symmetrical were captivating ... and stimulating. It

was not long before I was manipulating them as elements in grander patterns

which I called mothology.”

In the next 24 pages the culmination of those creatively manipulated images are

gloriously reproduced on spheres, mandalas and stars, a mobile of mandalas in

jeweled cases, boldly patterned silk scarves aptly titled “Silk Moths”, limited and

open edition Giclee prints and posters boldly and brightly patterned At first glance

you notice the wonderful designs and colours but as you continue to look you realize

that each one is composed of a myriad of moth images and the harder you look the

more you find. A truly joyful experience!

The book itself 1s beautifully laid out with great attention to detail, eg. the moth

outline enclosing the page numbers 1s a nice touch. The visual impact is simply

stunning.

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #5 ie Page 32

Not for Buck the dead specimens of trophy moths, encased, but gloriously alive

creatures, reproduced, to frame and hang or proudly wear, intricate and beautiful,

humorous and inspirational. Discover the magic for yourself.

Lots Hughes

Ed.: “Mothology” is available from info@leapfrogoz.com.au or LeapFrogOz, PO

Box 225, Kuranda, Qld. 4881 or from BOIC for $29.95 postage free within Australia.

YOU ASKED

I photographed this interesting katydid in dry

rainforest in a gorge at Ormeau. It was trying to

mimic the leaves it was hiding amongst, and was only

about 40 cm from the ground. It was pointing down

with its antennae and pair of front legs combined to

make it look like a leaf petiole. It refused to budge =

when I was examining it and only started to get

animated when I picked it up. The abdomen had

bright yellow colouration on it, but unfortunately it

wouldn’t keep its wings up for me to photograph that

part of its anatomy. Its body length was about 7 cm.

Am I correct 1n guessing it’s a katydid?

Glenn Leiper

John Moss checked an authoritative book by David Rentz called “Grasshopper

Country” and concluded that the insect was a true Katydid (family Tettigoniidae, sub-

family Pseudophyllinae, tribe Simoderini). There 1s a similar looking insect in plate

127 of p.102 of “Grasshopper Country. We are hopeful that David will be able to

give us an actual genus and species name.

WWW TO WATCH

Recently Catalyst, on ABC TV, presented a segment on Lady Birds in which they

mentioned an excellent site -

http://www.ento.csiro.au/biology/ladybirds/ladybirds.htm

WHAT INSECTS ARE THESE?

In issue number 50 we asked ‘“‘What Insects are these?” The answers are -

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #5 1— Page 33

The name of the insect is :- Cocytia durvillii (Bois

1828)

This insect, which has a 7cm wingspan, 1s a moth

belonging to the large family Noctuidae. It is an

uncommon lowland species with a distribution range

from the Moluccas in Indonesia to Papua New Guinea.

Photo by Graham Forbes

This specimen was taken in Lae P.N.G at light just after

dusk and this together with the clear wings that are similar to those of the day-flying

hawkmoths, suggests that it is crepuscular in habit if not perhaps a day-flyer.

Graham Forbes

This photo was taken in January 2008 at Upper Thane Creek

west of Warwick. The pupa of the Silky Azure (Ogyris

oroetes) with its attendant ants was found under bark at the

a lee "ie . base of the Box Mistletoe (Amyema miquelii) parasitizing a

eee ee cucalypt. I have observed the same species of ant tending

Nea Se “=~ larvae of the Broad-margined Azure (Ogyris olane) in the

Photo by Ross Kendall same area.

Susan Wright of the Queensland Museum has contributed this information about the

ant: “It 1s amember of the genus Meranoplus but as for species they are yet to be

completely worked on so it 1s too hard for us to say. Possibly someone overseas could

tell but the real expert died last year before completing his work. What he had

completed was published but otherwise the genus is in limbo at the moment.”

Ross Kendall

OTHER GROUPS’ ACTIVITIES

Butterflies and other Bugs in Brisbane Project

A total of 23 activities were conducted across Brisbane in 2006 and 2007with 246

people participating.

The topics covered were:

1) Butterfly Wander (5 walks) by Frank Jordan and Helen Schwencke

2) Dragonflies in Brisbane (4 field trips) by Ric Nattrass

3) Ants in Brisbane (4 walks), by Dr Chris Burwell, Queensland Museum

4) Insects at Night with Light (3 activities), by Michelle Larsen

5) Cicadas, Crickets and other Critters (2 talks), by Michelle Larsen

6) Native bees (1 talk & 1 walk), by John Klumpp

7) Beetles, ants and other invertebrate groups (3 talks), by Drs Geoff Montieth

and Chris Burwell, Queensland Museum

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 34

Unfortunately, the project ran at a time of drought and insects and other critters

weren't in abundance. A significant find along Oxley Creek was a very large,

buttressed Caper, Capparis arborea, which is 10 metres tall and of a very significant

girth. This tree puts paid to the idea that Capparis arborea 1s a small tree, as it is

often described.

Thanks goes to Daphne Bowden from the Club and Brisbane City Council's Habitat

and Catchment Officers for their support of this project. A copy of the report 1s

available from cla@dovenetq.net.au Helen Schwencke

Project Manager, Community Learning Initiatives

BUTTERFLY AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES CLUB PROGRAMME

A Visit to Mt. Cotton Rainforest Gardens

What: A visit to the mountain top above the Gardens, with panoramic views, from

the east the bay islands and Mt. Coot-tha and Mt Tamborine to the west.

When: 10 am sharp Saturday 7" February, 2009.

Where: Mt. Cotton Rainforest Gardens, 196 Mt. View Road, Mt. Cotton.

Bring: Walking shoes, hats, camera and refreshments if desired. $2.50 entry fee.

More Info.: We can expect to see rare plants amongst the native vegetation, many of

which are butterfly host plants. During our last visit we saw many local butterflies hill-

topping. An entry fee is required for public liability cover. Assemble at the roadside parking

area before the Gardens’ entrance where entry fee will be collected. We will then drive up the

mountain together. As this area is locked, late comers may have entrance blocked. Devonshire

teas and light refreshments are available for purchase in the Gardens.

R.S.V.P.: Please phone Lois on 3206 6229

Planning and Management Meeting

What: Our planning meetings are informative and interesting. As well as

planning our activities we share lots of information. All members are welcome as this activity

is also a general meeting of members.

When: 2pm Saturday, 21° February, 2009

Where: Peter Hendry’s home at Sheldon — address supplied on RSVP

R.S.V.P.: Peter on 3206 0048 or Daphne 3396 6334 daphne.bowden!l@bigpond.com

Garden Visit to ”Jak’s” Place

What: Visit to Jak and Ginny Guyomar’s acreage property at Gumdale to view

their garden planted up with butterfly host plants. If we are lucky we may see both Jak’s

extensive butterfly collection and vintage car collection.

When: 10am Saturday, 14" March 2009

Where: 789 Grassdale Road, Gumdale. Park in street.

Bring: Snacks, drinks, hat and sunscreen. Tea and coffee will be provided and,

knowing Ginny, a little treat as well!

RSVP.: Register with John Moss on 07 3245 2997 and for further information on

how to locate “‘Jak’s Place.”

If you plan to attend one of the above events, please contact the person indicated in case,

for some unforeseen circumstance, the event has had to be postponed or cancelled.

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #5 me Page 35

DISCLAIMER

The Magazine seeks to be as scientifically accurate as possible but the views, opinions and

observations expressed are those of the authors. The Newsletter is a platform for people to

express their views and observations. These are not necessarily those of the BOIC. If

inaccuracies have inadvertently occurred and are brought to our attention we will seek to

correct them in future editions. The Editor reserves the right to refuse to print any matter

which is unsuitable, inappropriate or objectionable and to make nomenclature changes as

appropriate.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Producing this magazine 1s done with the efforts of:

e Those members who have sent in letters and articles

e Lois Hughes who provides illustrations including the cover

e Daphne Bowden who works on layout, production and distribution

e John Moss, Martyn Robinson, Don Sands, Chris Reid, Graham Milledge and David Lane

for referencing and proof reading of various articles in this issue of the magazine

e Printing of this publication is proudly supported by |

Brisbane City Council

—_

We would like to thank all these people for their TEL ho T

contribution. BRISBANE CITY

Dedicated to a better Brishane

ARE YOU A MEMBER

Please check your mailing label for the date your membership is due for renewal. If your

membership is due, please renew as soon as possible. Membership fees are $20.00 for

individuals and $25.00 for schools and organizations. If you wish to pay electronically, the

following information will assist you: BSB: 484-799, Account No: 001227191, Account name:

BOIC, Bank: Suncorp, Reference: your membership no. and surname e.g. 234 Roberts.

Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club Inc.

PO Box 2113

RUNCORN Q. 4113

Next event — A Visit to Mt. Cotton Rainforest Gardens, Saturday fia

February, 2009 (See Programme for details)

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #51— Page 36