PLANNING AND ORGANIZING COMMITTEE 2017

President: Ross Kendall 07 3378 1187

Vice President: Richard Zietek 07 3390 1950

Treasurer: Rob MacSloy 07 3824 4348

Secretary: Dawn Franzmann QO7 3325 3573

Magazine: Daphne Bowden (daphne.bowden] @bigpond.com) 07 3396 6334

Field Trip Co-ordinator: Paul Klicin 0411 031 406

Committee Member: John Moss 07 3245 2997

PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION MEETINGS

A quarterly meeting is scheduled 1n 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 $30 for individuals, schools, and organizations.

AIMS OF THE 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;

To promote the conservation of the invertebrate habitat;

To promote the keeping of invertebrates as alternative pets;

To promote research into invertebrates;

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

MAGAZINE DEADLINES

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

March issue — February 1* June issue — May 1°

September issue — August 1° December issue — November 1°

All articles should be submitted directly to the Editor daphne.bowden1l(@bigpond.com

ALL MATERIAL IN THIS MAGAZINE IS COPYRIGHT TO BOIC AND THE

AUTHORS, ARTISTS, AND PHOTOGRAPHERS INVOLVED.

COVER PAINTING

Skipper butterflies (Trapezitinae) from the SE Australian forests: top centre 7rapezites

praxedes; top right Hesperilla ornata; middle lett Toxidia andersoni; middle right Mesodina

halyzia; below this Anisynta tillyardi; bottom left Hesperilla idothea

Painting by Andrew Atkins

PEPE PE DT PF OE be PED De Pe be Pe be De Pe bd Pe bd

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 2

FROM THE PRESIDENT

As a six-year-old boy seventy-four years ago, Andrew Atkins first developed an

interest in nature, art and drawing in his native England. After graduating from art

school in Victoria, he worked in Australian television for several years before

returning to England where he worked as a freelance artist. It was while working at

the British Museum for three years that Andrew really began to focus on the skipper

family of butterflies. On returning to Australia he worked as an illustrator for the

CSIRO for some time before beginning an eighteen-year stint as a lecturer at

Newcastle University teaching Fine Art and Scientific Illustration. Andrew has read

extensively, written quite a number of papers and visited many countries in his study

of skippers. Regarded by many as a leading authority, Andrew jokes that 1t was not

difficult to be rated thus as only a handful of people were foolhardy enough to take on

the challenge. I know you will appreciate the depth of his knowledge and the beauty

of his illustrations.

We are grateful to all those whose generous contributions make this our 86" edition

an interesting, colourful and informative read. Thank you for sharing your interest

with us.

At our general meeting on August 12" last, Lois Hughes was presented with a framed

photograph of her favourite butterfly — the Ulysses Butterfly — together with a scroll

awarding her life membership of the club. This was 1n recognition of her 22 years of

cheerful support, the production of many drawings and beautiful paintings and her

very readable articles. We wish her well for the future.

Best wishes, Ross

Creature Feature - Skipper butterflies (Hesperoidea) and bar codes: (Part one: family

Trapezitinae.......... +

Mots Miine A DOU BAUME AU UME ARE GOR RAR Ae eRe) eens 22

The Fiddler Beetle (Eupoecilda QUstralasiae) ....cccccccssccccssscccsssecccassccccsecccasececascceaaneceuaeeceeas 25

Life history notes on the Large Grass-yellow, Eurema hecabe hecabe .....cccccccccsesccceeeeeeeees 27

Linder (he MICKOSCOPES....2..0.5.c0geerduenineedurndarsedonstveedoushenehonnieucavnstennaeusdencaesedencarnninueneurguecsesegeds 30

Book Reviews — The Secret Life Of FICS v0... ccccccccesecccussecccesecccassecccenecccanececasccceencceaeseceaenes 30

A Guide to Stag Beetles Of AUStrA1IG occ ciccccccccccccsssccccsecccaseceeanecceauseceaaees 32

A Field Guide to Spiders Of AUStralidl ....ccccccccccccccssccccesecccnseececaneceeaeseceanaes 33

Reports - Excursion to South D’ Aguilar National Park/Pitta Circult......... cc ecccceeeeeceeee ees 37

Visit to Charles S Snow Environmental Reserve, Victoria Point, Redland City..38

SE OUTROS) Cay deta eb eb ee RE CH eR RCL ORE OER OCC CACO ELCMCLOCCA CREE OREO CECA CRORE CA CROMER CME OCCA CREE OLE OME 42

MSE CITOUIS, LECT YIWLGS cad cndaanshsedandaednochanduatcaasceetdeekseasdeatdeon sere ceasdecedeandesedeanseneduendennsesl iat 42

BCG PEO SPAMIIIC 6S caatauahs adh ahavseasahasuedevadusaduentecheasoan tran aatoantenntcsadeientucsduad tad eeriastecn sarees 43

PEPE PE DS PF DE bs PE De De Pe be Pe be pe Pe bd Pe bd

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 3

CREATURE FEATURE

Skipper butterflies (Hesperoidea) and bar codes: how old are they,

and how do the Aussie species fit in to the scheme of things? (Part

one: the sub-family Trapezitinae and their ilk) — Andrew Atkins

Introduction

Formal, Latinized nomenclature (taxonomic description) of life forms has always

been about unambiguous language communication. By expressing 1n any way

possible, the similarity or difference between one or another species, or groups of

organisms in a logical and comprehensive way, a formal order and ranking can be

achieved. This systematic format can reveal the species’ relationship (that is their

connectivity) in structure, biology and evolution. But grouping and naming the biota

may not always be entirely possible when there is a lack of fully researched

information, or the number of species 1s large. Evolution can be a complex and

mysterious three-dimensional (quantum?) process where the pathway of variation 1s

marked by a multi-directional system of change and adaption.

Much of the world’s biota 1s yet to be discovered, let alone formally named. Each

species 1s a product of evolution — the change that the organism has undergone

through time and as a result of geological or climatic events that occurred in the past,

and of course, its in-born genetic diversity. Each taxon has its own history to be

written: and somebody needs to do it.

Skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae) are a wonderful example of subtle but complex

evolutionary change. Initially there seems to be a stasis of form and function

throughout the 4-5000 or so described species (nearly a quarter of all butterflies)

found throughout the world (except New Zealand or the polar regions). Many species

seem (dare I say it!) a bit dull and unobtrusive, very quick, and devilishly hard to see.

The ‘father’ of skipper systematics, W.H. Evans, said it all “They are difficult to see

and catch: difficult to kill and set: difficult to identify and classify. Few are of

economic interest and most are small and drab. Nevertheless their serious study

presents an endless number of baffling, though fascinating, problems to anyone gifted

— or cursed — with an enquiring type of mind and with plenty of the patience and time

needed for the purpose’. Few ‘cursed’ researchers would disagree with this

observation, though there are some remarkably beautiful species to study, especially

in the tropics. Many people who can recognise them (they are mostly hairy and fat-

bodied and have hooked antennae) see skippers as moths, and they are not far from

the truth.

If you have an enquiring mind and want to know all about these creatures, there is a

ton of information yet to be uncovered about skippers, that 1s, their morphology, their

distribution and origin, and how the adult and juvenile skippers interact with their

habitats (life history): they are a somewhat ‘under-done’ group of butterflies! Just

BEES Pe De Pe PE De be Pe Pd pe he be be be be Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 4

where did they come from and how are all the various groups (genera and sub-

families etc.) interconnected across the world?

Present systematic alignment describes the order Papilionidea (which includes all

butterflies that contains seven families, one of which includes skipper butterflies

(Hesperiidae)), which in turn is divided into seven subfamilies. In this study I deal

mostly with the genera of the Australasian subfamily Trapezitinae and compare them,

using the time-honored (!) morphological method, with relevant genera in the

subfamilies Heteropterinae and Hesperiinae which have a telltale distribution around

the world.

Methodology

In this article (Part 1) I have focused my research on my favorite Australian group,

the trapezitines (I call them ‘Southern Deltas’), and include colour illustrations of

link-groups of genera, and some black and white diagrams that include a family tree

as I see 1t. This survey is mostly on comparative local and some continental genera

(Appendix A). The methodology is traditional morphological (structural) components,

utilizing adult and juvenile material as a comparative model to recent advanced

molecular studies based in America.

A previous preliminary discussion paper on skippers, published as notes/summary of

a talk given for the Entomological Society of Queensland in 2005 (*Atkins, News

Bulletin 33|2|: 24-34), provided a generalised position on the phylogeny of these

butterflies. This was in anticipation of a comprehensive combined molecular (DNA

sequencing) and morphological study of the world’s genera by Andy Warren et al.,

published 1n 2008 and 2009.

The world of skippers

Essentially skippers (family Hesperiidae) can be sorted into two natural groups; the

Pyrginae with larvae that feed on dicotyledon plants, and Hesperiinae with larvae that

feed on monocotyledon plants. The adults of the first group usually settle with wings

spread apart, the second group mostly settle with wings upright or hind wings flatter

like paper darts. For those readers who are unfamiliar with skippers, you always need

to get close and look for those bent antennal clubs. You will often find them nectaring

on flowers in sunny patches of your garden. These will belong to four subfamilies,

two of which occur further afield into the northern hemisphere.

The Trapezitinae are something special, because it is the only subfamily of skippers

restricted to Australasia. My research, lasting many years, indicates that it 1s a

reasonably ancestral group of butterflies with possible links to South America via

Gondwana. The New Guinea trapezitine genera are of special interest in this regard.

The Trapezitinae: a history

Waterhouse and Lyell (1932) established the subfamily Trapezitinae, characterized by

“Forewings held erect when resting: often with a discal sexmark (dark, raised scales)

above in male... Hindwing with vein 5 (M_,) absent... forewing with vein 5 (M,)

straight at base’. The descriptions included 10 Australian genera and 51 species.

BEDS Pe De be PE De be Pe be Pe Pe bd be be be Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 5

Plate I

BEES PERT PS Pe RT be Pe De be be be be Pe be bd be be

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 6

PLATE 1] (all Trapezitinae, except where marked (HESP) = Hesperiinae, or (HET) = Heteropterinae.

(1) Trapezites phigalia, male upperside (VIC); (2) T. phigalia, female upperside (VIC); (3) T. genevieveae,

male upperside (NSW); (4) 7. genevieveae female upperside (NSW); (5) Malaza carmides, female

upperside (Madagascar) (HESP?); (6) 7. phigalia, female underside (VIC); (7) T. waterhousei, female

underside (WA); (8) 7. genevieveae, male underside (NSW); (9) 7. genevieveae, female underside (NSW);

(10) Malaza carmides, female underside (Madagascar) (HESP’?); (11) Prada rothschildi, male upperside

(PNG); (12) P. rothschildi female upperside (PNG); (13) Rachelia extrusa, male upperside (PNG);

(14) R. extrusa, female upperside (PNG); (15) Tiacellia tiacellia, male upperside (PNG); (16) Prada

rothschildi, male underside (PNG); (17) P. rothschildi female underside (PNG); (18) Rachelia extrusa,

male underside (PNG); (19) R. extrusa, female underside (PNG); (20) Tiacellia tiacellia, male underside

(PNG); (21) Prada papua, male upperside (PNG); (22) P. papua, female upperside (PNG);

(23) Heteropterus morpheus, male underside (France) (HET); (24) Pithauria marsena, male upperside

(Malasia) (HESP); (25) Telicota ancilla, male upperside (NSW); (26) Prada papua, male underside (PNG);

(27) P. papua, female underside (PNG); (28) Herimosa albovenata, male underside (SA); (29) Hesperilla

mastersi, female underside (NSW); (30) Signeta peron*, male upperside (QLD)

These were divided into two groups; A. male without sex brand — Trapezites Hiibner,

(1819), Anisynta Lower, 1911, Oreisplanus Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914 and Mesodina

Meyrick, 1901; B. male with sex-brand (on forewing) — Hesperilla Hewitson, 1868,

Toxidia Mabille, 1891, Neohesperilla Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914, Motasingha

Watson, 1893, Dispar Waterhouse & Lyell, 1914 and Signeta Waterhouse & Lyell,

1914. Further modifications were made to this arrangement by the inclusion of two

additional genera (both without sex brands), Pasma Waterhouse, 1932 and Croitana

Waterhouse, 1932 in subsequent research. I also added the genera Antipodia (1984),

Proeidosa (1973) and Herimosa (1994) to this subfamily. The discovery of the life

history of several species also played an important role in the re-defining of some

genera groups, which included the recognition of three distinctive larval forms within

nine genera studied (Waterhouse, 1927). These genera groups are defined mostly by

wing-vein alignment and male wing sexbrands, labial palpi, antennal clubs, leg spines

and juvenile (egg, larva, pupa) differences. The majority of their larvae feed on

erasses or sedges (like most of the linked genera included 1n this article), but two

important genera feed on the Australian endemic Lomandra or Patersonia (Liliales).

Phylogeny

W. H. Evans in his important analysis of the world’s Hesperiidae held in the British

Museum (Natural History) (1937-1952) had accepted the arrangement of the

subfamily Trapezitinae “adopted by Australian authors’, probably referring

particularly to Waterhouse (Evans, 1949), but in this work he also recognised a

possible taxonomic relationship (hind-wing venation) of trapezitines to the New

Guinea genus Prada Evans, 1949 (p. 31). This genus, together with the monotypic

Tiacellia (described by Evans on p. 37), was placed within the Prada subgroup of the

Plastingia Group J. (1949, p.2). Evans in this work characterized the peculiar cell end

of the hind-wing of the Australian group “... lower angle is upturned, the end cell is

directed to the dorsum, instead of to the tornus or termen as usual and the medium

vein has a branch to the origin of vein 4 (M3), instead of to well above that point.

BEDS PE DS OF Oe bs Pe he pe Pe be Pe be pe Pe bd Pe hg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 7

Plate 2

“

MMMM MMM MYM MWY

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 8

PLATE 2 (all Trapezitinae, except where marked (HESP) = Hesperiinae, or (HET) = Heteropterinae.

(1) Anisynta monticolae, female underside (VIC); (2) Pasma tasmanica male upperside (NSW);

(3) Neohesperilla xanthomera, male underside (QLD); (4) Dispar compacta, female upperside (VIC);

(5) Signeta flammeata, male upperside (NSW) (large specimen); (6) Oreisplanus perornata, female

underside (VIC); (7) Motasingha trimaculata, female upperside (NSW); (8) Antipodia chaostola, female

upperside (VIC); (9) Croitana croites, male upperside (WA); (10) Proeidosa polysema, female underside

(QLD); (11) Mesodina hayi, male upperside (WA); (12) M. aeluropis, female underside (NSW);

(13) Toxidia melania, male upperside (QLD); (14) Felicena dirpha, male underside (PNG);

(15) Hewitsoniella migonitis, male upperside (PNG); (16) Pedesta masuriensis, male upperside

(Himalayas) (HESP); (17) Agathymus aryxna, male upperside (USA) (HESP ‘Giant Skipper’);

(18) Argopteron aureipennis, female underside (Nicaragua) (HET); (19) Metisella midas, male upperside

(Kenya) (HET); (20) Pelopidas agna, female upperside (QLD) (HESP); (21) Fulda corolla, male upperside

(Madagscar) (HET); (22) Dalla semiargentea, male upperside (Peru) (HET); (23) Tsitana tulbagha, female

underside (South Africa) (HET); (24) Pirdana hyela female underside (Borneo) (HESP); (25) Butleria

fruticolens female underside (Chile) (HET)

Vein 5 (M,) is always well marked, at the termen central between veins 4 (M3) and 6

(M,), nearer to vein 6 (M,) at its origin, where it 1s often decurved” (p. 19).

It is clear that both Waterhouse and Evans were somewhat at variance (or even

contradictory) in the identification and morphological parameters of the Trapezitinae,

although they agreed on its uniqueness. However, Parsons (1998) in his work with

Papuan skippers doubted the validity of Trapezitinae, indicating the ‘diffuse’ nature

of this subfamily with Hesperiinae, illustrating variable states in the discocellulars

(inking veinlets at the end of the cell) of the hind-wing in some New Guinea genera.

Comparisons were made to 7oxidia inornatus (Butler, 1883), Rachelia extrusus

(C. Felder & R. Felder, (1867), Tiacellia tiacellia Evans, 1949, Prada maria Parsons,

1986, Prada papua (Evans, 1928) and Prada rothschildi (Evans, 1928).

The DNA (bar-coding) of skippers

In 2008 Andrew Warren ef a/. formulated a tentative systematic arrangement of the

skipper butterflies based on the DNA of many (about 30%) of the genera found

throughout the world. This momentous molecular study, which also included an

updated review of morphological definition, confirmed the subfamily status of

Hesperinae, Heteropterinae and Trapezitinae (the latter had received some “doubtful

press’ in recent years!). The work included some species in several genera of the

Australian subfamily. Since this work, a number of authors have contributed limited

DNA studies on various other genera groups and families of butterflies circumscribed

by the Papilionidae, Hedylidae, and Hesperiidae.

Warren has shown that aligning morphological data with that of molecular results can

enhance the perceived phylogenetic arrangements of the Hesperiidae, including a

ereater clarity in the placement and connectivity of genera groups. In the new

phylogenetic arrangement, a more comprehensive hierarchic connectivity to

continental faunas could be perceived. However the apparent evolutionary stasis and

long evolutionary time frame achieved by skippers (a fifty million year old fossil

PEPE PE DS Od Oe be PE De pe Pe be Pe be pe Pe bd Pe bg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 9

rc ’

Se 10 8) Pe)

a ny

BEES Pe PE DT be be Pe De bd be be De bed be Pe eb

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 10

PLATE 3 (all Trapezitinae, except where marked (HESP) = Hesperiinae, and (HET) = Heteropterinae.

Anatomical features of skippers; mostly male and female genitalia (including uncus tip of male gnathos);

also antennal club, and some labial palpi.

(1) Trapezites symmomus (Eungella, QLD) (also included smaller labial palpi and antennal club of

Trapezites sciron from WA); (2) Rachelia extrusa (Cape York, QLD); (3) Hewitsniella migonitis (Sariba

Is., PNG); (4) Felicena dirpha (right and left valvae tips, and below subspecies F’. d. nota) (both PNG);

(5) Toxidia melania (Nth. QLD); (6) Signeta flammeata (NSW); (7) Dispar compacta (VIC) (note narrow,

pointed uncus-tip); (8) Pasma tasmanica (NSW); (9) Neohesperilla crocea (NT), uncus tip NV. xanthomera

(QLD); (10) Anisynta sphenosema (WA); (11) a. Piruna pirus (female) Nth Amer., b. Dardarina aspila

(male), c. Argopteron sp. (male) (Chile) d. Butleria soloi (gnathos tip) (male) (Chile) (all HET);

(12) Tsitana tulbagha (Sth. Africa) (HET); (13) a. Fulda rhadama (female), b. F. coroller, c. Hovala

amena (female), d. H. amena (male) (all Madagascar and HET); (14) a. and b. Metisella malgacha erina

c. Hovala sacauus (both Madagascar and HET); (15) a. and b. Malaza carmides, c. Malaza fasturus

(female) (both Madagascar and HESP’?); (16) a. Agathymus aryxna (male genit.) (Arizona, USA),

b. A. ricei (USA) (both HESP)

skipper is reported, differing little from extant species), has provided little additional

structural, distinguishing elements for comparative research. More fossils were

needed!

Other Australian Groups

Euschemoninae, Coeliadinae, and the South American Eudaminae are the three basal

subfamilies with morphologically constant structural characters that separate them

from the other four subfamilies, or even from each other. In fact, at the subfamily

level, each exhibits essentially a mosaic of collective character-sets and biological

traits that differ 1n a quantitative arrangement rather than clear division. This includes

genital morphology, which unfortunately shows variation and, enigmatically, a

complexity that defies taxonomic solution. Nevertheless the adult and juvenile

members of species 1n each subfamily clearly behave and ‘look’ reasonably different

from each other. There are also some consistent structural features of each ancestral

genera group (be they seemingly trivial) that can define an evolutionary pathway.

From a biological perspective, the larvae of Coeliadinae and Eudaminae mostly feed

on Legumes. The larva food plant of Euschemoninae is exclusively Monimiaceae.

Clearly these three subfamilies show strong continental connectivity. Further detailed

assessment of these dicot-feeding groups will be given in a future article.

Morphological connections — the missing links

The hierarchy of three subfamilies of mono-feeding skippers reached by Warren

(2008) (Trapezitinae, Heteropterinae and Hesperiinae) gave evidence of an important

pathway to their evolution (Appendix B). It appears likely that these skippers split

from the branch of dicot-feeding skippers somewhere near the pyginid genera groups

(Pyrgus, Spialia, Gomalia etc. and perhaps the Australian endemic Nycterus). The

stout, robust genus 7rapezites carried some morphological traits of these genera.

BEDS Pe RE be PE De be Pe Pe pe he bd be Pe be Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 11

TV AVATAVATATACASACASALALALASACALACAL AC

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 12

PLATE 4 (all Trapezitinae, except where marked (HESP) = Hesperiinae, and (HET) = Heteropterinae.

Anatomical features of skippers, mostly male and female genitalia (including detail of uncus); also antennal

club.

(1) Motasingha trimaculata (NSW); (2) Hesperilla mastersi (VIC); (3) Oreisplanus perornata (VIC);

(4) Herimosa albovenata (NSW); (5) Croitana croites (WA); (6) Antipodia chaostola (VIC);

(7) Mesodina aeluropis (NSW); (8) a. Prada papua, b. P. rothschildi (both PNG); (9) Tiacellia tiacellia

male genit. and uncus tip (PNG); (10) Proeidosa polysema (QLD); (11) Pelopidas agna (QLD) (HESP);

(12) Pedesta sp. (Nepal) CHESP); (13) Pithauria sp. (Malaysia) (HESP); (14) Pirdana hyela (Borneo)

(HESP); (15) Trapezites atkinsi (WA)

The morphological study (black and white plates 3, 4 and 5) reveals a tendency for

species in the genera of trapezitines to become narrower and less robust 1n structure

(adults, genitalia and juveniles). This may be as a result of a move to sedge and grass

feeding (narrow leaf-shelters to hide in). This same structural change 1s seen in other

continental groups of hesperiines of all three subfamilies. However their connectivity

can clearly be seen 1n the male and female genitalia (within these subfamilies), which

developed elongated, over-lapping valvae (ampulla and harpe)(eg Anisynta, Butleria

and T'sitana), and the corpus bursae with accessory pouches (appendix) (seen in most

trapezitines and Butleria and Metisella). The eggs of species in the three subfamilies

have gone from heavily ribbed to fine, multiple faint ribs, and then finely to an almost

smooth surface. There 1s also a general trend for the antennal clubs to be blunt and

short and have broader, more rounded wings, especially genera groups that fly low in

exposed, open habitats of cooler climates. Generally, species flying 1n rainforests

have retained (speed-adapted) narrow and long fore-wings and have more startling

wing patterns and colours (although there are many exceptions to this rule). Overall,

along the family tree, there has been a general evolution of structures from complex

to simple, accompanied in some genera by a loss or movement of wing-veins

(especially ulustrated in the black and white plates).

Conclusion

Compared to other families of Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae (skippers) are poorly known,

and yet they comprise more than a quarter (between 3,500 and 4,000 species) of all

described butterflies. Following comparison with molecular research, a preliminary

overview of the higher systematics of skippers is given (Appendix B). A preliminary

ranking as a possible tribal relationship of the Trapezitinae is shown in Appendix C.

A few additional structural and biological defining characters are included.

Although all Australian, African and South American genera studied yielded a

scattering of species with very similar structural features (note the similarities of wing

venation male and female genitalia, antennal club shape etc.), but these were not

shared by all genera. Some structures were almost randomly shared, as if the genes

operating these structures were held latent and expressed or re-expressed well after

the genera had evolved from their original (ancestral) genera group forms.

PTET Pe De be PED be Oe be pe he bd be Pe be Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 13

Half-Plate Sa

HALF-PLATE 5a. Wing venation, antennal club, hind leg spurs, egg, larva, larval shelter and pupa of

male monocotyledon skippers (note downward sloping of veins M2, M3, CuAl and CuA2 at cell in

forewing and faint M2 of hindwing of fig. B which are noticeable variable trends in many species of

hesperiines throughout the world). The three species illustrated have larva that all feed on grasses but have

quite different eggs.

A. Butleria flavomaculata, HETER. (Chile)

B. = Telicota ancilla, HESP. (Newcastle, NSW)

C. Oreisplanus munionga TRAP. (Mt. Hotham, NSW)

The relationship of the Trapezitinae with Heteropterinae appears quite strong

(molecular and morphological), all containing various ‘quantities’ of characters.

These features include, bar-codes, long and slim build, blunt antennal clubs, complete

venation and ribbed eggs, and in female genitalia, accessorary pouches. The males

have distinctive, overlapping valvae tips and elongate uncus. In at least one genus,

several species had strongly ribbed eggs (especially in Trapezitinae). Most species in

the genera of the Hesperiinae have only fine ribs or more often smooth eggs. This

latter character is important in the phylogenetic study of the monocot-feeding genera.

BEDS PE DS DE DE PS Pa Re be Pe De be Oe be Pe be be Pe

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 14

Half-Plate 5b

Papilla analis

ett

4 > 7 ~“

- _ -

7 ad

me —

AX "

. A e

} ophysis

Sacculus Saccus ae : popny

Lamella Post —

Harpe Juxta ’ ears

—— ~ f vaginalis

\ aa t vores phe (Sterigma plate)

wy op ‘ ) ~ | | |

4 i 4) _{ Sinus vaginalis

— | | , _ f- ei "a ?

eee SS | ib i]

Lr op Ps ioe oe Lamella

Antevaginalis

cr hf

/ vo ~ (Sterigma plate)

we — : Pa ie ie res ewe / i

Ampulla |} * >> * | p Aedeagus 4, >

‘= ae | ‘

iz ~—

JF | f Caudal chamber

inculum us on

uctus bursa

ee oe = : Gnathos ’

“~Carpus bursae

Dorsolateral process = | B

(flange) Tegumen a < _ oe

on Ok al Accessary pouch

\ 4 (Appendix)

HALF-PLATE 5b Male and female genitalia of Trapezitinae (generalized).

A few genera of African Hesperiinae feed on dicotyledons and also appear close to

Trapezitinae (especially in juveniles) but I have not closely studied those groups.

Little is known about the biology and life history of Madagascan genera (the

heteropterines and so-called hesperiines (Hovala, Malaza etc). They are clearly of

African stock, but older, and appear linked to Australasian trapezitines. (Did you spot

the accessory pouches’)

The molecular data shows the position of the two subfamilies Trapezitinae and

Heteropterinae in a phylogenetic ranking as the ancestral groups of all other monocot-

feeders. Other genera groups appear to have evolved from them, presumably as

separate continental entities following continental drift. They then have finally spread

into the northern hemisphere, mixing 1n a vast complex of inter-connecting skipper

fauna between the ‘old world’ and ‘new world’. A scenario involving the timing and

routes taken 1n the vicariance events of a putative Gondwanan skipper fauna is

difficult to establish without further improved molecular studies based on more

BEDS PE DS OE be PE De De Pe be Pe be pe Re bd Pe bg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 15

species in more genera (and of course fossils). Thus the process 1n which the

hesperiine fauna filtered into northern landmasses cannot clearly be defined, but

island hopping is unlikely at least until the continents collided. Interesting too, is the

exact relationship of the Yucca-burrowing megathymids (Giant Skippers) (Plate 2,

fig. 17) from Central America. They are clearly hesperiines, but also have some

structural affinities to the heteropterines and trapezitines (and like the genus

Trapezites, they have robust larvae that also feed on Liliaceae This hypothetical

scenario will undoubtedly also involve the pyrginid skipper subfamilies

Euschemoninae, Coeliadinae, Eudaminae and Pyrginae, (my present research). All

this needs further study.

The world distribution and subtle morphological connectivity of these groups form an

interesting framework for more comparative bio-geographical, phylogenetic and

improved molecular research. There is little doubt that skippers are a group of

butterflies with a strong bi-centric distribution across the world. This indicates that

they originated in Cretaceous Gondwana. The scenario parallels the distribution and

evolution of songbirds (passerines) which DNA bar-coding research has strongly

indicated an eastern Gondwana origin (Cracraft, 2001). There are many other

examples of this distribution pattern of biota. Some researchers doubt that butterflies

are old enough — that is to have a late Cretaceous origin. Time will tell!

Footnote

The classification of skippers is fraught with difficulties due to their morphological

stasis, and it is unlikely that further morphological cladistic methods will clearly

define the ‘natural’ genera and tribal groupings, or indeed to greatly improve the

arrangement presented by Evans (1937-1955). Perhaps a multi-dimensional

‘Quantum’ gene analysis could be the answer to an unambiguous phylogeny of

skippers?

My work was primarily based on morphological comparison of species 1n the

extensive collections held by the Natural History Museum, London (1978-81). Since

then some regional faunal studies (including cladistic) have altered or modified the

classification. Many more species have been described and biological work has added

further depth but, by and large, Evans’ morphological model has ‘held’ as it

systematically dealt with a progressive ‘country-to-country’ faunal assessment: 1n

other words he recognised the strong continental endemism of skippers.

Today, I am certain that those little Aussie battlers, the Trapezitinae, have taken a key

role in the evolution of skippers, or at least have a pivotal place in the development

and distribution of the monocot-feeders throughout the world. Am I jumping the gun’?

Well maybe, the signs (the pattern) are there, it just needs someone to follow this up.

Acknowledgements

Numerous individual family members, friends and colleagues have helped and

encouraged my interest in butterflies. To them, thank you. In particular, Jane Inder

PT PS Pe DE be PE DT be Pe Pe pe he be be Pe bd Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 16

and Genevieve Farrell initiated unflinching support and technical assistance. The

Research Committee of The University of Newcastle provided financial support.

Material help and advice was given by the late Alex Burns, lan Common, Bernard

D’ Abrera, Ebbe Nielsen, Nigel Quick and Norman Tindale. Michael Braby, Ted

Edwards, and Andy Warren maintained constant advice and help during my studies.

Michael Braby, Fred Gerricks, Shane McEvey, Steve Collins, Oliff Mielke, Russel

Mayo, Bert Orr and James Scott provided research material and skipper specimens

and a host of individuals provided reprints. Thank you Daphne Bowden for

encouragement and technical advice, and Kelvyn Dunn and Ross Kendall for helpful

advice. Various essential help was also initially provided by The British Museum

(Natural History) and the ANIC (CSIRO). I deeply thank them all.

References and Selective reading

ANANTHASWAMY, A., 2008. Once the South Pole was green and crocodiles infested the

Arctic. New Scientist, 2008, p 32-38.

ACKERY, P.R., de JONG, R. and VANE-WRIGHT, R.I., 1999. The butterflies: Hedyloidea,

Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea, pp. 263-300. /n Kristensen, N.P. (Ed.). Lepidoptera,

Moths and Butterflies. 1. Evolution, Systematics and Biogeography. Handbook of

Zoology 4 (35), Lepidoptera. Berlin: de Gruyter. x+491 pp.

ATKINS, A.F., 1973. A new genus Proeidosa for an Australian skipper Pasma polysema

(Lower) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Trapezitinae). /. Aust. ent. Soc. 12: 253- 260, figs

1-206.

ATKINS, A.F., 1975. The first record of Rachelia extrusus C. and R. Felder (Lepidoptera:

Hesperiidae: Trapezitinae) in Australia. J. Aust. ent. Soc. 14 (3): 237-241, figs 1-9.

ATKINS, A.F., 1984. A new genus Antipodia (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Trapezitinae) with

comments on its biology and relationships. Aust. ent. Mag. 11: 45-57.

ATKINS, A.F., 1994. A new genus Herimosa (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Trapezitinae) and its

relationship to the Proeidosa group of endemic Australian skippers. Aust. ent. Mag.

21 (4): 143-152

ATKINS, A.F., 1997. Two new species of Trapezites Htibner (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae:

Trapezitinae) from eastern Australia. Aust. Ent. 24 (1): 7-26.

ATKINS A.F., 1999a. Chapter 5. The Skippers, 7rapezites (Hesperiidae). Pp 75-104, figs 1.1-

4.6, 4 pls. /n Kitching, R.L., Scheermeyer, E, Jones, R.E. and Pierce, N.E. Biology of

Australian Butterflies: Monographs on Australian Lepidoptera; Volume 6. CSIRO

Publishing, Collingwood, Victoria.

ATKINS, A.F., 1999b. Origins of the Trapezitinae (Hesperiidae). A preliminary faunal and

biological survey in Madagascar and Mauritius. Victorian Entomologist 29 (5): 92-

97.

ATKINS, A.F., 2006 (2007). Biology and taxonomic status of the skipper, Mimene wara, from

eastern Papua New Guinea (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae). Tropical

Lepidoptera 17 (1-2): 23-26 (2007).

ATKINS, A.F. and EDWARDS, E.D., 1996. Hesperiidae 8 (71): 232- 236. Jn Nielsen, E. S.,

Edwards, E.D. and Rangsi, T.V. (edits). Checklist of the Lepidoptera of Australia.

CSIRO Publishing, Victoria, 529 pp.

BEDS Pe De be PE De be a be pe Pe be be Pe be Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 17

BAKER, K.F., CIBOIS, A., SCHICKLER, P., FEINSTEIN, J. and CRACRAFT, J. 2004.

Phylogeny and diversification of the largest avian radiation. PNAS 101 (30): 11040-

11045.

Barlow, B.A., 1981. The Australian flora: its origin and evolution. In George, A.S. (Exec.

edit.) Flora of Australia Vol. I Introduction. Griffin Press. Netly, Sth Aust. 200 pp.

BOUNT, Z.D., 2017. Replaying evolution. American Scientist 105(3): 156-165

BRABY, M.F., ATKINS, A.F., DUNN, K.L., WOODGER, T.A., and QUICK, W.N.B., 1997.

A provisional list of common names for Australian butterflies. Aust. J. Entomol. 36:

197-212.

BRABY, M.F. 2000. Butterflies of Australia: their identification, biology and distribution. (2

Vol.) CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood; xx + 976 pp.

BRABY, M.F., 2016. 4 Complete Guide to the Butterflies of Australia (2™ ed.) CSIRO

Publishing. Collingwood. 384pp.

BRABY, M.F., 2010. The merging of taxonomy and conservation biology: a synthesis of

Australian butterfly systematics (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea and Papilionoidea) for

the 21° century. Zootaxa 2707:1-76. Magnolia Press Auckland, New Zealand.

BROWER, A. V. Z. 2006. Problems with DNA barcodes for species delimitation: 384pp. “ten

species” of Astraptes fulgerator reassessed (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae).

Systematics and Biodiversity 4 (2): 1-6.

COMMON, I. B.F. and WATERHOUSE, D. 1981. Butterflies of Australia (rev. ed.) London

682pp., 49pl.

CORBET, A.S. and PENDLEBURY, H.M., 1978. The Butterflies Of The Malay Peninsula. (3°

edition revised by J. N. Elliot). Malayan Nature Society. Kuala Lumpur. 578pp.,

35pl.

CRACRAFYT, J., 2000. Avian evolution, Gondwana biogeography and the Cretaceous-Tertiary

mass extinction event. Proc. R. Soc. London. B (2001) 268: 459-469.

CRACRAFT, J., 2001-2002 Gondwana Genesis. Natural History (12/01-1/02) pp. 64-72.

DURDAN, C. J. & ROSE, H. 1978. Butterflies from the middle Eocene: the earliest occurrence

of fossil Papilionoidea (Lepidoptera). Pearce-Sellards Series (29): 1-25.

EDWARDS, E.D., NEWLAND, J. and REGAN, L., 2001. Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea,

Papilionoidea. /n Wells, A. & Houston, W.W.K. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of

Australia. Vol. 31.6. Melbourne: CSIRO Publishing, Australia x 615 pp.

EVANS, W.H., 1937. A Catalogue of the African Hesperiidae indicating the classification and

nomenclature adopted in the British Museum (Natural History). London. V-xi1 +212

pp, 30 pls.

EVANS, W.H., 1949. A Catalogue of the Hesperiidae from Europe, Asia and Australia in the

British Museum (Natural History). London. x+ 502 pp.

EVANS, W.H. 1951. A Catalogue of the Hesperiidae indicating the classification and

nomenclature adopted in the British Museum (Natural History). Part I.

Pyrrhopyginae, London, British Museum. x+ 92 pp.

EVANS, W.H. 1952. /dem. Part I. Pyrginae. Section I. 1-v, 1-178, pls. 10-25.

EVANS, W.H., 1953, /dem, Part III, Pyrginae. Section II. i-v, 1-246, pls. 26-53.

EVANS, W.H., 1955, /dem, Part IV. Hesperiinae and Megathyminae, 1-v, 1-499, pls 54-88.

HEMMING, F., 1964. Annotationes Lepidopterologicae. Hepburn & Sons, London. Pts 3-Spp

(73) — 180 vii (143).

HEPNER J. B., 1998. Classification of Lepidoptera. Part 1. Introduction. Association for

Tropical Lepidoptera (Holarctic Lepidoptera. Vol 5, Supplement 1). 149 pp.

BEDS Pe De be PE De be Pe Ps pe he bd be Pe be Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 18

HERON, F.A. 1894. Lepidoptera. pp. 101-107. dn Walker, J.J. A visit to Damma Island, East

Indian Archipelago. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (6) 14: 98-113.

HERRERA, J., MAC NEIL, C.D. and ATRIA, J., 1991. A taxonomic revision of the genus

Butleria (Lepidoptera: Hesperiinae). Acta Ent. Chilena 16 pp. 201-246.

HEWITSON, W.C. 1868. Descriptions of One Hundred New Species of Hesperiidae Part 2.

London, John van Voorst pp. 25-56 (37).

JONG, R. de, 2001. Faunal exchange between Asia and Australia in the Tertiary as

evidenced by recent butterflies. In : Metcalf, I., J.M.B. Smith, M.

region? /nvertebrate Systematics 17: 143 -156.

JONG, R., de, VANE-WRIGHT, R.I., & ACKERY, P.R., 1996. The higher classification of

butterflies (Lepidoptera): problems and prospects. Entomologica Scandinavica 27:

65-101.

LARSEN, T.B., 1991. The Butterflies of Kenya. Oxford University Press, UK. 490pp., 64pl.

LARSEN, T.B., 2005. Butterflies of West Africa (Text Vol. 595pp), (Plate Vol. 270pp. 125 pl.)

Apollo Books, Denmark 595pp.

NICULESCU, E.V., 1977. Les Hesperiidae- Lépidopteres a caracteres collectifs. Rev. Roum.

Biol. Biol. Anim. Tome 22 (2); 127-131.

NICULESCU, E.V., 1978. L’exosquelette thoracique chez les Hesperiidae. Dtsch. Ent. Z., N.F.,

Heft I-III, Seite 205-210.

OBERTHUR, 1916. Observations sur une centime d’espéces de lépidoptées rhopalocéres

malgaches. Etudes de Lépidoptérologie comparée, 11: 236-240.

OGATA, M., 1950. Studies on the male genitalia of Japanese Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera). Zool.

Rec. 15: 27-47.

PARSONS, M, 1998. The butterflies of Papua New Guinea: their systematic and biology,

Academic Press, London.

PENA G, L.E. and UGARTE P., A.J., 1996. The Butterflies of Chile. Editorial Universitaria:

Inscripcion N 98.615 Santiago de Chile. 355 pp.

PRESTON-MAFHAM, R and PRESTON-MAFHAM, K.1988 Butterflies of the World. New

York: Facts On File Publ. 1292pp.

SCOBLE, M.J., 1986. The structures and affinities of the Hedyloidea: (Nat. Hista new concept

of the butterflies. Bull. Br. Ms. (Nat. Hist.), Ent. (London), 53:25 1-286.

SCOBLE, M.J. and Aiello, A., 1990. Moth-like butterflies (Hedylidae: Lepidoptera): a

summary, with comments on the egg. J. Nat. Hist. (London). 24: 159-164.

SCHODDE, R., 1989. Origins, radiations and sifting in Australasian biota-changing concepts

from new data and old. Austal. Syst. Bot. Soc. Newsletter 60: 2-11.

UPCHURCH, P., 2008. Gondwanan break-up: legacies of a lost world’? Trends in Ecology and

Evolution 23 (4): 229-236.

VIETTE, P., 1956. Fauna de Madagascar: Publiee sous les auspices du Haut-Commissariat de

Madagascar; III Insects: Lépidopteres Hesperiidae. Publications de L’ Institut de

Recherche Scientifique Tananarive-Tsimbazaza. 85 pp.

WAHLBERG, N., BRABY, M.F., BROWER, A.V.Z., de JONG, R., LEE, M.M., NYLIN, S..,

PIERCE, N.E., SPERLING, F.A.H., VILA, R., WARREN, A.D., and ZAKHAROV, E., 2005.

Synergistic effects of combining morphological and molecular data in resolving the

phylogeny of butterflies and skippers. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 272: 1577-

1586.

WARREN, A.D., 2007. The higher classification of Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera: Hesperioidea).

PhD Dissertation (presented 26" April, 2006) Oregon State Univ., Corvallis. 458 pp.

BEDS Pe De be PE be be Pe Pd pe he bd be Pe be Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 19

WARREN, A.D. and GONZLEZ-COTA, L.1998. Notes on the genus Piruna in western

Mexico, with descriptions of a new species (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae). 7ropical

Lepidoptera: Notes on Neotropical skippers. 2. Vol. 9 Suppl. 2.: 1-7.

WARREN, A.D. OGAWA, J.R. & BROWER, A.V.Z., 2008. Phylogenetic relationships of

subfamilies and circumscription of tribes in the Family Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera:

Hesperioidea. Cladistics 24 (2008): 1-35.

WATERHOUSE, G.A., 1927. Australian Hesperiidae Part 1. Notes and descriptions of new

forms. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales Vol. lili (part 3): 275-

283, pl. xxvl.

WATERHOUSE, G.A., 1932a. New genera of Australian Hesperiidae and a new subspecies.

Aust. Zool. 7 (3): 198- 201.

WATERHOUSE, G.A., 1932b. What Butterfly is That? 29\pp. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

WATERHOUSE, G.A. and LYELL, G., 1914. The Butterflies of Australia. Angus and

Robertson, Sydney; vi + 239 pp.

YAGI, N., 1953. Studies on the compound eyes of Lepidoptera 2. On the morphology and

function of the compound eyes of Hesperiidae. Matsumoto (Shinshu University), Vol.

3: 29-41, 2 pls, 2 figs.

YODER, A.D. & NOWAK, M.D., 2006. Has vicariance or dispersal been the prominent force

in Madagascar? Only time will tell. Ann. Rev. Ecol Evol. Syst. 40: 405-431.

APPENDIX A

List of skipper genera studied in this document

TRAPEZITINAE (Australasian) HETEROPTERINAE (South and

Hewitsoniella (PNG) central America)

Rachelia Dalla (Sth America)

Trapezites Piruna (Mexico)

Tiacellia (PNG) Argopteron (Chile)

Prada (PNG) Dardarina (Chile)

Toxidia Butleria (Chile)

Signeta

Pasma HETEROPTERINAE (Europe)

Dispar Heteropterus (France)

Felicena (PNG) Carterocephalus (Scotland)

Neohesperilla

Anisynta HETEROPTERINAE (Africa)

Motasingha Metisella (South Africa)

Oreisplanus Tsitana (South Africa)

Hesperilla Hovala (Madagascar)

Croitana Piruna (North America)

Herimosa

Proeidosa

Antipodia

BEDS REDS PF DE be PE DS De Pe be Pe be pe Pe bd be bg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 20

(a39Wy "N~NG) FVNIMDLdOUALIN

(BISy-JV) TVNIMALAOUALAH at.

(29my’S) TVNIMALIOWALAH

DSOUMLLI

puDjI0l)

pipodyuy

pulposayy

DSOpIaOLg

EULSOpIOvIg

vyduismoyy

dnous Baspulyeyy

dnoas esAuuog vppisadsayy

dnoid vjeuig BUlpLiodsayy

snuvjdsiai¢Q 1UIpPIXo]

musSDg

pjyudsup BuULuASIUY

pjjluuadsayoayy

puaryas

svdsiq

DIpixo]

vjausig

BUIPIXOY,

DjJaUOsHiMa yy

sajizadvs

DIJOYIDY

iunizodesay

vpoid

DIJaIVL]

GU9O) TVNIAdSaH

(OLY V) AVNIMAdSaH = ——

(Hamy) JYNINAdSIH

(Yoreasai Juasoid SUTYyTV) svuIpIzodery oy) Jo AuasofAyg pssodoig

J xtpuaddy

JOWY UN 2 USD ‘WIS

JOWY YIN 8 WED ‘US

JOWY WED - US

JOWY UN “USD ‘UIS

(JaWY YIN) “YY “NZ - BIsy 4S

pu) - BISy 3S “ON “IsNy

WSNy "ON -BISy BS ~-pul “Wy

BISY 3S -Ujy “Jewy WeD47S

BISY 3S ‘BUIyD-Opu|

JUSLIO-GUNZ ‘JEwWYy UIN-UIS

ON-ISNy

BISY-UNZ "BoLjy Jewy

BISy-INF “EWwY UN -uIS

JOWY UIN 8 YUSD -LAS

BISY-INF JEWY UN “WIS

INIINSdS3H

INIONOW

INLLGOH.LNV

INIGOdIWO

INIOMTAWAHL

INIHSDOXWLOVHVL

INIHOVE

INLLONOIYS

INIHHOVWWOH3Y

SVNILIZSdVEL

INIGOHVHOXVD

ININNAWS

INIGOTAHOV

INIDeAd

BOW “JEW YU8D -WS ININIHHHONSV1S0

‘WY -PUl "BISy 3s “Isny

Jew WeD-US

dy WED-US “BUIYD-Opu|

‘Uy - BISy 3S “Isny

AVNIQVISVL

INIDAdGOHYHAd

= fa

SVYNIDVITSOO

eyeasny 3AYNINOWSHOSNs

8007 (70 Ja “UdAIB AA 19978 “(UOTJNGLSIP SUIPNIIUT) P[AOAA Iq} JO

( svprisedsapq) sasddpys oy) JO Saqtay puv Solueyqns ay) Jo AuosoyAyg

ite

se)

All artwork by Andrew Atkins

PEPE PE DS a PE DS Pe De be Pe be be Pe be Pe be pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 21

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Moths Milling About — Densey Clyne

The dust from colliding wings 1s swirling around us and the smell of dead bodies

clogs our nostrils. Jim Frazier and I are standing near a mercury vapour lamp outside a

wood chip mill in the small town of Oberon, NSW. The wings belong to gyrating

Bogong moths (Agrotis infusa) and the smell is the end result of their kamikaze flights

into the hot lamp.

It is November 1984. We are on our way to a location in the Snowy Mountains of

New South Wales to film the story of the Bogong moths’ annual summer migration.

Their route covers a vast area that includes many human settlements and these days

their insect odyssey can be fatally interrupted by street and house lights. Oberon 1s

one of the moths' important staging posts and we have stopped here to film their

impact on the activities of the district's major wood chip industry.

Inside the mill, we watch the procedure. Here finely ground wood chips are put

through rollers on a conveyor belt to make particle boards used 1n cabinet-making.

But there is a problem. Moths, sheltering around the machinery by night, have been

disturbed and fly about in panic. Outside, they hit the lights and fall to be prey to

carab beetles. Inside, an employee waves his arms to keep them from the rollers but

alas! the occasional moth ends up as a two-dimensional imprint on the board. I find

this gruesomely artistic; Jim calls it instant fossil! Affected boards are rejected and we

claim one each to take home. Now we finish filming the collision of two worlds

around this small town and move onward to where the vast majority of insect

sojourners have reached their destination.

The story of the Bogong moths is an amazing one. For millions of years, before there

were towns with wood chip mills and two-legged mammals to operate them, the

moths have been making this same journey over much of eastern Australia. The saga

begins annually in Spring. In lowland plains and pastures, the small herbaceous plants

that nourish the moth caterpillars are dying off. Feeding through winter, the

caterpillars have pupated and now fat brown moths are emerging. No need to eat —

they emerge fully energised for flying. A short time to spread their crumpled wings, a

few trial flights in their new element and they're off on their arduous journey from the

plains to the Victorian Alps. Streams of moths converge to form huge flocks, driven

by stages along mysterious pathways to traditional aestivation spots. There they wait

out the summer in the cool comfort of granite caves and crevices.

It is at one of these remote locations on Mt. Gingera that we are to film them 1n their

summer hideaways for the BBC. Earlier that month I join Dr. Ebbe Nielsen, then head

PEPE PE DS PF DE bs PE De De Pe be Pe be De Pe bd Pe bg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 22

of the Insect Collection at CSIRO, and moth expert Dr. Ted Edwards on a trip to Mt.

Gingera to check out a suitable location that Ted knows of. As we trudge up a grassy

subalpine slope I learn more from my entomologist companions about human

interactions with the moths. Going back thousands of years Australian aborigines

regularly followed the moths up to the mountains, lit their campfires there and

enjoyed a huge seasonal feast of roasted moths. Ted tells me they themselves have

actually cooked and eaten the moths and found them quite tasty. But what about all

that fur!

We arrive at a level patch of ground between huge boulders. Eucalypts are in flower

but there's no sign of the moths. Where are they? My companions point me towards

a crevice, barely discernable. I shine my torch in and can hardly believe my eyes. The

rock wall is festooned with thousands of moths, overlapping like tiny brown tiles. I

manage with my small camera to take some shots by flashlight. "That's only one

shelter:" I'm told. "All these rocks around here are hiding thousands more." But the

land ahead slopes steeply and this will be the only accessible site for Jim to film the

moths in situ.

A week later, Jim and I arrive at the site with colleague and fellow cameraman Glen

Carruthers as his assistant, ready to do the filming. But in that narrow crevice where

the moths are hiding there is barely room for one man and a movie camera. So Jim has

access to only one of the moth's hiding places. He told us later of his problems. To

begin with, 1t was a mighty squeeze through the entrance. Inside the floor was thick

with the corpses and discarded wings of earlier sojourners. The wing scales he stirred

up rose around him as he crawled close to the ground setting up the camera. At his

feet scuttled a number of carab beetles, scavengers feeding on the old moth corpses. It

was dark, of course, and getting movie lights in place was not easy. Well,

notwithstanding bruised shoulders, barked shins and a nose full of moth dust, Jim

manages to get the shots we need.

Next task is to film the moths as they come out of hiding in the early evening. Right

on time, they start swarming around us, settling to feed on the blossoms of the stunted

alpine eucalypt trees. It 1s quite a dizzying experience as the moths swerve around us,

filling the air and sky, miraculously managing to avoid hitting us. Jim gets wide shots

of the moths against the evening sky and settled in the foliage. I use my camera for

still shots of a moth probing the gum blossom with its long tongue. And then we light

our way down-hill to our waiting vehicle and head for home.

The film 1s sent for processing and comes back to us: relief all round — no problems!

Off it goes to the BBC in England and later our secretive Australian Bogong moths

are out there entertaining TV viewers all over the world.

BEDS Pe De Pe PE De be Re be pe he bd be Pe be Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 23

7 * -

ae , : 7 a _—

Bogong moth territory — Mt. Gingera

—, N ~

Death

ney . ws eL rt 4

‘a

- ~ ~_ - » 7"

_ ss, -

rT Ae

Bogong moth feeding on Snow Gum

Bogong moths clustering — Mt. Gingera

j Instant fossil — Ma ‘

moth in chip board —

Bogong moth corpse being eaten

Photos Densey Clyne

oR 2K FS FE 2K OK OK FE OK 2K

PEPE PE DS PE De be Pa Re be Pe he be he bs Pe bd bd Pd

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 24

The Fiddler Beetle (Eupoecila australasiae) —

Observations by Hongming Kan

The Fiddler beetle (Eupoecila australasiae)

is a very common flower beetle in eastern

Australia. It gets its common name from the

interesting patterns on its back reminiscent

of a violin. In summer, I often find them on

flowers 1n suburban gardens and parks. They

are So common in summer that sometimes

they have even flown into my house. These

beautiful intruders were always welcome

and treated with their favorite food ---

apples and bananas.

Adult on flower

. Fiddler beetle larvae

Feeding trails under bark

Female Fiddler Beetles lay their eggs in rotting logs or in the damp soil under logs.

The larvae live inside rotten tree trunks just beneath the bark. Unlike the larvae of

stag beetles that like to bore into the rotten wood, flower beetle larvae like to graze

the surface under the bark and rarely venture deep inside the log. Fiddler beetle larvae

are pretty tough and not picky about the food. They can be found 1n fallen logs that

are too hard or dry for other beetle larvae and I think that is one of the reasons why

they are common.

If compared with raising stag beetles, raising

fiddler beetles 1s really easy. They require

minimum attention and all you need to do is put

the larvae into a container filled with rotten wood

and then you can almost forget them. In spring

adults will duly emerge.

Before pupating, larvae use their excrement and

debris to construct cocoons.

BEES PERE PS Pe Pe be Pa Re be Pe be be Pe be bd Pe

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 25

Fiddler beetle cocoons

Just as for other beetles, a fiddler beetle

needs to remain dormant inside its cocoon

for a period of time ranging from several

weeks to months before it emerges and its

new role as an adult begins.

Days before emerging, the beetle 1s

already clearly visible inside the pupa.

When the adult 1s ready to emerge, it uses

its legs and body to wriggle and struggle

out of the pupal case and cocoon. The

whole process can take a day. This is the

most vulnerable moment in its entire life

because if anything goes wrong, the beetle may

die or suffer deformation.

Mature pupa in cocoon

The adjacent photo shows the moment when I

broke open a fiddler beetle cocoon and found a

fresh beetle inside.

The back of the newly emerged fiddler beetle is

soft and creamy. It takes days before the wing

casings become hard and the colour darkens.

Emerging adult Colour developing on newly emerged adult

After all their parts are fully hardened, the

adults are ready to mate and commence a

new breeding cycle.

Photos Hongming Kan

WMM WWMM MMMM MMW WM

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 26

Life history notes on the Large Grass-yellow, Eurema hecabe

hecabe (Linnaeus, 1758) Lepidoptera: Pieridae — Wesley Jenkinson

The Large Grass-yellow previously known as the

Common Grass-yellow is encountered across much

of northern and eastern Australia. Within its

breeding range, this species is one of our most

common butterflies.

The adults can be located in a variety of habitats

where the host plants are established; chiefly in

erasslands, open woodland, eucalypt open forest

~ and in suburban gardens where there is suitable

habitat. Dispersal of this species from its breeding

_ areas depends on regional rainfall and the

availability of its host plants. There are dry and wet season forms with some adults

being intermediate between the extreme forms pictured.

Adults have a slow erratic flight although they can fly rather quickly 1f they have been

disturbed. They are found flying close to the ground in grassy areas but will fly much

higher in search of nectar or over obstacles. During hot summer days, large numbers

of the adults can be observed imbibing moisture from mud puddles and moist gravel

areas along creeks. While feeding, the wings remain closed. The adults are active

during warm sunny conditions but tend to settle during heavy cloudy periods only to

take flight again when the cloud has cleared. The adults are readily attracted to a wide

variety of small native and exotic flowers. The males do not hilltop.

Whilst in flight, the adults can be very easily confused with other species in the

Eurema genus, 1n particular, the Scalloped Grass-yellow (E. alitha) which 1s very

similar in size and markings. Smaller adults (runts) can occur particularly if the larval

food is in short supply. Voucher specimens are generally required to determine

correct identification between these two species but even then some specimens can be

difficult to separate. Eurema alitha has only been recognised in recent years 1n

Australia and was first included in Braby 2000.

In comparison to E. alitha, E. hecabe 1s a slightly paler yellow, and the top yellow

‘tooth’ on the forewing black margin indentation 1s generally shorter than the lower

tooth and sometimes broader. The hindwing upperside may also have slight but less

obvious scalloping along the margin. Other Eurema spp. are generally smaller in size

and (with the exception of £. puella from Cape York Peninsula) the wide black

marginal band on the upperside forewing does not extend to the tornus. In both

species, the black markings on the upperside show slight variation in the shape. In

addition, both species also feed on separate host plants.

BEDS PERS De DE PS Pe Re be Pe he be Oe Ps Pe be bd Pd

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 27

Images left to right: male & female Eurema alitha, male E. alitha, male E hecabe, male E. hecabe

The sexes are rather similar in appearance. Males have a sex brand (or patch of sex

scales) along vein CuA on the underside of the forewing. The females are also a

slightly paler yellow and, in particular, the wet season form has a dusting of black

scales towards the base of fore and hindwing uppersides and a broader black suffused

margin along the upperside of the hindwing.

The sizes of the adults for both seasonal forms are similar with wingspans for the

pictured males being 38mm and females being 40mm respectively.

Eurema hecabe hecabe (Large Grass-yellow) Wet Season Form

Images left to right: male, female, male underside, female underside

Eurema hecabe hecabe (Large Grass-yellow) Dry Season Form

Images left to right: male, female, male underside, female underside

This species utilises a broad range of host plants 1n the following four families:

Caesalpiniaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, and Mimosaceae. These are listed by

various authors in Braby 2000. Additional host plants within these families have been

recorded and published in Moss 2010.

During November 2005 at Beaudesert (in southeast Queensland) a female was

observed slowly fluttering around a Coffee Bush (Breynia oblongifolia) a known host

plant. She settled on the host plant and curled her abdomen on to the upperside of a

BEDS PE DT DE DE be Pe he be Pe he be Oe bd Pe be bd Pd

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 28

leaf and laid a single egg. While ovipositing, the wings remain closed. This egg was

kept for life history studies.

This egg was creamish white, spindle shaped with very fine longitudinal

ribs, approximately 0.5 mm wide x 1.3 mm high.

Freshly laid egg

The first instar larva emerged prior to 7.00 am and consumed the eggshell shortly

afterwards. It was observed feeding during daylight hours, resting on either side of the

leaves and along stems of the host plant. The larva raised completed five instars and

attained a length of 30mm.

ia Bors Bite Rie Ryo I

Abie x .

Pupa lateral view Pupa with reddish-brown markings

In captivity, the pupa measuring19mm in length,

was located below a stem of the host plant. It was

attached with silk by the cremaster and a central

girdle. The pupae occasionally have reddish-brown

or brownish markings for camouflage to match the

stem colour as pictured.

The total time from egg to adult was almost |

month, with egg duration of 4 days, larval duration

WM WM MMW WM

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 29

18 days and pupal duration of 7 days.

Within the new boundary of the Scenic Rim Regional Shire south of Brisbane, I have

records of adults from all months of the year. In this region, the adults appear to be

more numerous during the summer and autumn months. In this location, during some

years, the life cycle 1s completed throughout the winter months. However, this

probably relates to the timing of local temperatures and rainfall triggering fresh

erowth of the host plants.

I would like to thank John Moss for commenting on the manuscript.

References:

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

Distribution. vol 1. CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.

Moss, J.T. 2010. Butterfly Host Plants of south-east Queensland and northern New South

Wales. 3" edition, BOIC.

Photos Wesley Jenkinson

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

”

_ This image 1s of part of an insect photographed under a

microscope. Can you guess what it 1s?

See page 42 for the answer.

BOOK REVIEWS

The Secret Life of Flies by Erica McAlister — Hardback | April 2017 |

$ 29.95 ISBN: 9781486308026 | 200 x 130 mm Publisher: CSIRO — Reviewed by

Bernie Franzmann

Insects are endlessly fascinating aren’t they? After reading this

book, I’m thinking that flies are the most fascinating insects of

’ all.

f L C S Every second page of this book has an interesting and, usually,

: = amazing story about a fly family or species. The book has 241

The secret life of

pages so there are at least 120 such stories. The stories are

presented in an entertaining, David Attenborough-like style.

ri iad oa Erica 1s a staff member at the Natural History Museum in

London where her job enables her to ‘play with one of the best

collections of flies 1n the world’. She has also travelled extensively, including

Australia, studying flies. She says of her book “It 1s a book of my ramblings through

the world of flies and how they interact with everything else in the environment.”

BEDS PE DT PF OE Pe PE DS De Pe be Pe be a Pe bd Pe h

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 30

Some of the stories/facts I found most interesting are as follows:

e Flies range in size from 0.4mm — 8.5cm.

e I’m sure I was taught that no insects could live in salt water, but now I learn

that there are 12 genera of flies that have marine species. An even more extreme

adaptation is the case of the petroleum fly, which lives 1n petroleum pools.

e Some adult flies can dive and remain underwater for some time by carrying

‘air tanks’ — pockets of air trapped by the hairs on their legs

e Some male flies have antler-like structures on their heads which they use like

the antlers of deer — they use them to spar with their opponents and show off to

the females.

e There is a fly in New Zealand that lives on bat guano. They hang around in

little social groups and groom each other — they are getting close to being social

species.

e The healing potential of some fly maggots has long been known but with

increasing resistance to antibiotics, research 1s increasing into the antibiotic

properties of maggots.

e Robber flies can be very big and robust and one species has been recorded

crabbing, subduing and feeding on a hummingbird.

e Some bee flies wrap their eggs mid-air in ballast and hurl them into, or close,

by solitary bees’ nests.

e Some parasitic flies have ‘ears’ which enable them to hear and therefore find

their hosts, such as crickets, grasshoppers and cicadas.

e There is a mosquito that does not suck blood but feeds on ant vomit.

e We butterfly people know about metamorphosis — egg, larva, pupa, adult and

that’s where it ends. Some species of fly have a unique metamorphosis. The

females start out looking like an average fly but when she finds her host (a bat)

she nips off her wings and legs and undergoes a post-adult metamorphosis, to

resemble once more, a maggot!

e Recent developments in identifying species, uses DNA barcoding

techniques. One family of flies (Cecidomylidae) has been examined using this

technique and results have led to the idea that there are possibly 1.8 million

species in this family alone. A few years ago it was thought that there might be

about 10,000 species in this family. Some experts have tried to estimate how

many existing species of insects there are. The top estimate has been 30 million

species. This may now have to be somewhat increased.

e Males of some species, wishing to mate, find some prey, wrap it up in silk

and present this gift to the female and mate while she is un-wrapping the gift. It

gets even more interesting than this but you will have to read the book to find out

how.

PEPE PE DS PF OE be PE DS De Pe be Pe be pe Pe bd Pe b

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 31

| A Guide to Stag Beetles of Australia by George

Hangay and Roger de Keyzer. CSIRO Publishing, Clayton

South, Victoria, 2016; x + 245 pp. ISBN 978 1 486302 086

(paperback) $49.95 (BOIC members’ price $42 plus $13

postage) — Reviewed by Trevor Lambkin

‘A Guide to Stag Beetles of Australia’ comes as a welcome

and watershed addition to the CSIRO Publishing Field Guide

series. With 245 pp presented in three parts, this book

| comprehensively presents all the 95 currently described

fees ‘i species. It is interesting that the Australian Lucanid fauna

<coneaaslis 1% of the world total of ~1400 described species. Stag beetles are a

universally popular insect group because of the prominent male mandibles which

show a great variety 1n size and structure on many of the species. In addition, many

species are splendidly coloured with metallic hues and brilliant glosses. Despite the

authors describing the work as not being a monograph it goes very close to being that.

Not that readers or researchers should complain as this fine work must go down as

one of the best entomological books on the Australian beetle fauna.

The book 1s comprehensive with the first part dealing with everything you may need

to know to study this attractive group of Australian insects. The authors even give a

background to the origins and principles of the scientific classification system, the

language of entomology, morphology and a broad breakdown of the family. Part two

provides firstly a checklist of all Australian species, then provides a comparative

description, biology, distribution and length in millimetres for each of the 95 species.

Part three provides a complete chapter on finding stag beetles in the field, methods

employed for their collection and a very good section on preservation and

management of a collection of stags. Yes, the authors do indicate that for any serious

study of stag beetles, “to create and curate a collection is a must’. It’s good to see in

this field guide and in the recently published 7he Complete Field Guide to Australian

Butterflies (Michael F. Braby, 2016) that an emphasis has thankfully returned to the

importance of collecting and keeping insect collections for the betterment of science

and the conservation of species. Finally, a glossary 1s provided, followed by a

reference list.

The high points of the book are numerous. Photographs of the adult beetles, immature

stages and their environments are excellent. In addition, the comparative descriptions

provided to assist in successful identification of species are very useful. The glossary

1s comprehensive as is the reference list, although many of the references would not

be easily obtainable by amateur coleopterists who perhaps would use the guide. What

was of help was the image on page 12 in which the authors illustrate the key

distinguishing morphological feature of the Lucanid larva which separate it from

larvae of other members of the superfamily Scarabaeoidea. This was particularly

helpful to me as I have always questioned my identification of Lucanid larvae.

BEES PE DS be DE PS Pe Re be Pe DT be Oe bs Pe be bd Pd

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 32

With such a plethora of positives for this book I am happy to say that there seems to

be few negatives. A few little annoyances crept in when using the book. With so

many genera and species that look similar, it might have been a very good idea to

start anew genus on a new page so that delineation of the genera was made a little

easier. In addition, on each uneven page number, it would have been helpful to

include the genus name next to the subfamily name at the top of the page, again to

make the book a little easier to use. Having a scale bar next to each image that 1s

displayed on a white background would have been a good feature to aid identification.

One of my pet gripes about all the CSIRO publishing field guides 1s that because of

the nature of the spine used in each book, consequently the book does not stay open

on a flat surface without the need to hold the book open with two hands. If these are

field guides or even guides used 1n one’s study, how 1s it possible to examine an

insect specimen in question and at the same time hold the books open using two

hands. I found this particularly troublesome with the Lucanid field guide as I was not

familiar with the genera and when opening the book at the correct section it would

close again when picking up each specimen to identify. Very frustrating!

But overall, the authors George Hangay and Roger de Keyzer should be congratulated

on producing a fine publication and obviously a labour of love. In addition, their hard

work has made a wonderful contribution to the knowledge of this brilliant group of

Australian beetles. Well done!

ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok

A Field Guide to Spiders of Australia. Robert Whyte

& Greg Anderson. CSIRO Publishing 2017. Paperback

452pp; ISBN: 9780643107076 (pbk.).~AU $49.95. (BOIC

members’ price $42 plus $13 postage) —

Reviewed by Kelvyn L. Dunn

SPIDE

OF AUSTRALIA

| VWWRTY TE AND? CARIC, ANDERSON

Peering from the front cover 1s a blue-eyed monster — at least,

that is how macro-photography presents a new vision of this 18

millimetre-long life form! Some may advance a biased view that

those beady eyes and that intrusive stare are loveable 1n a way,

and they could be, but with a name such as the Ogre-faced Net-

caster, this spider has little chance of receiving the benefit of the doubt! This richly

illustrated field guide shows more of its form elsewhere including those eight spindly

legs and drab abdomen dangling below, leaving the viewer convinced that it is an

aptly named beast and perhaps, to some, down-right creepy! This raises the question

as to what 1s ugly (if that is an allowable description), and what is not — certainly no

new theme in the minds of naturalists. Charles Darwin had argued in The Origin of

Species that the concept of beauty (or ugliness as the opposing case may be) 1s largely

a subjective one, and after studying an array of phytoplankton, he remarked of how,

“Few objects are more beautiful than the minute cases of the Diatomaceae’”’. And,

questioning his readers to uncover underlying assumptions in a way similar to

BEDS PE DE Pe PE PS Pe Re bs Pe he be Oe bd pe be bd Pe

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 33

Socrates, he asked, “*... were these created that they might be examined and admired

under higher powers of the microscope?”

The digital camera — the microscope of the masses — has allowed citizen scientists

(and curious members of the public) to look aghast at the face of this frightful spider,

with his frontal eyes enlarged to the size of humans exposing ‘cuteness’ for the

emotive concept that it really 1s. Readers of this new book might be surprised to learn

though, that those eyes — tiny as they actually are — are more than 2000 times as

sensitive as our own! Indeed, that species featured on the cover has better night vision

than anyone could image; readers will learn, no doubt with astonishment, that both

sexes cope with sunlight by digesting their retinas and re-growing them each evening

to prevent blindness! And if that is not enough to fascinate, then reading of the

mystique of its genital coiling, which brings up new wonderment 1n sexual

engineering will leave the newbies to spiders wondering what next they will learn!

Among slaters, which are a group of terrestrial crustaceans, both left- and right-

handed individuals seemingly exist in nature, each with their preference to turn 1n

those directions when offered a choice and, perhaps, the same handed-phenomenon

occurs among some Net-casting spiders. One could imagine that if any luckless Ogre

Spiders were to use a ‘dating site’ for arachnids to improve on their opportunities

(given the handicap of that name, for starters) that they might need to admit whether

their 20-coils are spiralled clockwise or anticlockwise. No doubt this would be a vital

statistic for some more ‘individualised’ spiders (or even those of an arising new

species?) creeping out, so to speak, to reveal to other net-casters out there that theirs

is of an alternative twist — which one would guess could occur 1n nature on

probability.

Glancing through the content pages one sees spiders 1n their various forms and it 1s

immediately impressing on the fair-minded entomologist (the angle that this writer 1s

coming from) that, for some reason, eight legs seems far more disconcerting than

does six. Even six can be an emotional hurdle for many people, alarmed and armed

shoe-in-hand, when these uninvited extra-legged guests wander into the household!

This field guide will allow ‘arachnophobes’ to see beauty 1n spiders for the first time

— that is, if they can shut one eye to the ogre on the cover and skip to the Title page!

That vibrant blue and red-bodied critter greeting the reader (pleasingly mimicking Just

six legs by that cunning alignment of a pair) could only soften the hearts of all but the

most hardened eight-legged creature haters! Australian beauty in the wild frequently

conjures images of parrots and lorikeets, adorned with colours arousing nothing less

than a sense of admiration among nature lovers. The insects too have their

equivalents, epitomised in the splendour seen in the world’s largest butterfly genus,

the Delias. But, what some naturalists may not know is that the spiders have their

Own awe-inspiring counterparts — 17 photo-filled pages dedicated to the genus

Maratus or Peacock Spiders places them in the pageant too! These may be very small

creatures with some only three millimetres long, but the diversity of patterns and the

dazzling colours are unexpected among predators. One meets a magnificent eight-

PTET Pe De be PE De be a Ps be Pe bd be Oe bd Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 34

eyed example, Maratus volans, on turning to the Foreword. Distracting from its four

more prominent eyes (which I can only suppose is two more than makes ‘Beauty’

comfortable with), the Flying Peacock Spider is gorgeous with its yellow, blue and

ereen blends, and this impression comes before it starts to dance! If toe-tapping

Jumping Spiders and their prettiness 1s just a little shallow for those more seasoned

naturalists, the opposite page depicts some amazing ant mimics! In fact, some spiders

mimic not only a variety of ants but a few also masquerade as beetles and even thrips.

Obviously, there is much to learn and reading this field guide 1s the fastest way to do

so. As Tim Low wrote 1n the Foreword, “The Introductory chapters are loads of fun

and the photos are enchanting”; his tone, which may seem rather informal for a book

of this seriousness, actually reveals the book’s style; a highly readable, scientifically

accurate piece directed in common language for the layperson.

After guiding the reader in the use of the book, the authors expand on other spidery

aspects. These include the ways and means of distinguishing the species, the history

of their study in Australia, their basic body parts (essential reading as the terms are

referred to frequently in the captions of the photos) and other aspects of their

morphology and their ecology. The section titled ‘Spider families from A to Z’, with

its colour-coded marginal highlights for quick reference to each taxonomic divide,

implies by double entendre both the broad scope of the work’s coverage and the

ordering of species within the groups. That component is most of the book, and the

content is largely pictorial — which 1s perfect for a field guide — and shows a variety of

live spiders (not dead ones) for each family, some being common types others rare,

with each usually presented in a natural setting. The photos are often large, enabling

that rare close-up view 1n the field, and all are sharp. The full-page examples such as

those on pages 44, 46, 48 and 50 give an impression of the many excellent images

that follow, and the captions identify the species and sexes, with the spider sizes given

in millimetres. Place-names record where the spiders shown were found, but because

so little 1s known of their distributions that knowledge is presented at the regional or

state level only (rather than as range-fill maps). Indeed, the authors admit concerning

the fauna of tropical Australia that, “we don’t yet know how many spiders we have or

what they are” (p.113); they also remind that we are disadvantaged because “much of

Australia is harsh, making exploration difficult” (p.5). A chapter on collecting and

preserving spiders is curiously absent, but naturalists with a passion for outback travel

and a desire to contribute to science (by preserving specimens) will likely soon

delight in finding one or more new species 1n just a short time!

Snippets of biological interest are scattered throughout the book and it is only by

reading all of it that one will learn of the many mind-boggling truths that remain

hidden outside of the human sphere. I do not wish to short-cut readers off that

pathway to discovery but will reveal just a few to whet the appetite of the keener

bookworm. Firstly, some spiders are on the traditional menu as the guide mentions in

passing. During my visit to the Eastern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea

some years ago, an indigenous guide pointed out the large spider occasionally eaten in

BEDS PE DS Od Oe be PE DS pe Pe be Pe be pd Pe bd Pe bg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 35

former times. That Golden Orb Weaver sighted, a species of Nephila (almost certainly

N. edulis) was hastily dragged down, web and all, from amidst the tall shrubbery

using a long stick. He grabbed 1t enthusiastically as the spider scuttled for its life,

nimbly dismembering it with his fingers before dropping it near some hot coals of our

smouldering campfire, where it sizzled for a couple of minutes. We ate the ash-

covered cephalothorax and abdomen, the latter exuding a sloppy white mess that

tasted a bit like chicken fat — remarking, whilst nibbling, that it is not considered a

delicacy, though. The Latin name edulis means edible and the field guide tells of how

the French taxonomist, Labillardiere had remarked on its recognition by one group of

South Pacific islanders, clarifying that during the 18" century, “The inhabitants of

New Caledonia call this spider nougui.” In describing it as a species new to science

back in 1799, Labillardiere did so “under the name Aranea edulis, meaning spiders

the New Caledonians eat.” (p.103). I had earlier pointed out another Orb-weaver

species which I thought could add to our morsel, but my highlander companion stated

that this kind, although similarly large and juicy looking, was not eaten to his

knowledge and he did not wish to sample one.

The photo captions reveal other snippets of biology. The female of the Fat-legged

Orb-weaver, as one example, may live up to 11 years, and as another curio, the

Foliage-webbing Social Spider prefers the company of its own kind — up to 600

individuals can share some communal webs, all apparently living in harmony. The

Social Huntsman also lives in colonies, sometimes with up to 300 in sheltered places

but not in communal webs. Worthy of mention is that certain Wolf Spiders, being the

agile and aggressive hunters that they are, can attack reptiles, and the text confirms

that they occasionally kill young cane toads. Mating in spiders, which can last up to

22 minutes (reported for the ‘Eyebrowed Sandalodes’, one of the salticid spiders) can

be an activity fraught with danger for some! Of interest, was the story of the timid

Paddle-waving Jumping spider. The male of this kind hides behind a leaf and waves

to the female at a distance to woo her. Eventually she is mesmerised by his display

making her safer to approach (remembering that spiders are predaceous and that

perhaps the male might join the menu if his waving is not convincing); what can

occur — rather than a supposed love-feasting event in this case — 1s that the female

sometimes grabs his paddle and tears it off! Reading more about Jumping Spiders, of

which thousands of species are known to science, reveals the existence of

transformation mimicry, where at different growth stages the developing spiders

resemble different kinds of ants (rather than the same one).

The mygalomorphs start near the end of the book, and for those who are “just coping’

with the Peacock varieties, turning to the magnificent photo of Bradleys Mouse

Spider on page 380, showing one of its book lungs alongside its shiny black legs,

hairy abdomen, and its prominent fangs fearlessly greeting the viewer, might be a

little overwhelming! It gives a taste of that lack of cuteness to follow, which includes

the Funnel Webs, Trapdoors, and Australian Tarantulas. The final section on spider

eroups deals with many “Little Known Spiders’ which I would suppose that most

BEES PE DE be PE he be a bd pe Pe be be be bd Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 36

enthusiasts are less likely to meet (and that may be why it is out of taxonomic

sequence). It includes the notorious Brown Recluse Spider, an unwelcome addition to

the fauna of Adelaide where it is becoming widespread and common, and which,

unfortunately, can cause a noisome sore at the bite site.

The glossary of terms, the photo credits, and a section on further readings placed

towards the rear, are standard features of faunal guides and the work closes with an

index of scientific and common names (which includes some key terms), followed by

a supplementary one on family common names. The final double page provides a

family tree of spiders showing a view of the contemporary phylogeny of these

arthropods based on traditional morphology, DNA evidence, and the silk types and

their uses by the spider groups. Those new to spider taxonomy will find this helps in

understanding where the groups fit in amongst themselves and which are their closest

relatives.

The text is delightfully readable throughout-— there are just a couple of reiterative

errors (pp 329 & 437) which have escaped those last minute tidy ups, but otherwise it

seems flawless. Moreover, some unexpected remarks in a work of science such as,

“Peacock spiders are the rock stars of the spider world” and, elsewhere, “Peacock

spider fever has swept the country, with Facebook pages popping up all over the

place”, provide two examples of the textual flavouring that one will encounter. (And,

so my earlier facetious remark on spider ‘dating sites’, which may have brought a

frown of dismay from some pondering on the appropriateness of this literary touch of

anthropomorphism, is not so out of place after all!) These raise interest in this

invertebrate group, one that has been so often misunderstood as well as feared.

Anticipating that many more Peacock spiders — as just one popular group under

review — are still awaiting names, the guide also promotes amateur involvement

whether by collection of specimens or photography, or ideally both, without seeming

patronising; in doing so, it markets formal science to the masses 1n a way that no

other faunal guide has achieved. Like other field guides 1n this series by the CSIRO,

its glossy softcover appears durable and will withstand some wear and tear and its

half A4 size will ease cartage in the field. A magnificent work from cover to cover,

this guide to the spiders of Australia offers a refreshing read, one well pitched to an

educated lay audience and the scientist alike.

REPORTS

Excursion to South D’Aguilar National Park/Pitta Circuit —

Saturday 3™° June 2017 — Dawn Franzmann

The day dawned and what a beautiful winter’s day it was this Saturday 3 June. To

find the parking area for the Pitta Circuit is an excursion in itself. After a lot of

searching on the Park Website and following directions published in

“Metamorphosis”, eventually, we found the spot. As it turns out the directions stating

BEDS Pe De be PE De be Pe Pd pe he bg be Pe bd Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 37

this area is 17kms from Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre 1s correct. What it

doesn’t say 1s — it is marked as the Boombana Access Point. A couple of members

accessed the Pitta Circuit from the Boombana Cafe.

Nine members of BOIC enjoyed the Pitta Circuit walk, but a little disappointing in the

fact that we didn’t see one butterfly. The consensus of opinion was that this was due

to the cold weather, lack of sunlight etc. However, we turned it very quickly into a

bird and plant walk. Birds spotted were — Pied Currawong, Large-Billed Scrub Wren,

Eastern Yellow Robin, Lewin Honeyeater — a Bell Miner was heard in the distance. A

few plants in view of the path were native Wisteria, Bolwarra tree and Acacias.

Thanks to Erica Siegel’s Bee talk at the AGM and with the keen eye of one of our

eroup we able to recognise that the neat semicircular cuttings on the leaf of a native

Ginger were not actually caused by a caterpillar or grasshopper, but in fact, the culprit

was a Leaf Cutter Bee.

It was an enjoyable morning and culminated with a chat to exchange information as to

what different members saw on the walk. A couple of Club members joined at this

point as they had accessed the Circuit from the Café. Maybe, South D’ Aguilar

National Park could be visited again in the summer months. The area around the

Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre 1s a worthwhile area to visit. Brochures are

available from the Centre.

ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok

Report of BOIC visit to Charles S Snow Environmental Reserve,

Victoria Point, Redland City — John T Moss

This excursion was held on Saturday May 13" 2017, following the quarterly planning

meeting held in “Mungara’, the visitor centre and heritage museum run by the Friends

of Eprapah Scout Fellowship.

Eprapah Environmental Education Centre, as it’s generally known, is a 39 hectare

bushland property in the heart of the Brisbane Bayside suburb of Victoria Point. It

was partly used as a dairy farm when purchased by Scouting Australia (Qld Branch)

in 1928. Scouting Queensland uses the property as a base for several Victoria Point

Scout groups from Cubs upwards, and, in conjunction with the Qld Education

Department, provides instructors and resources for “hands on” environmental

education of primary school groups of children. The proximity of the tidal estuary of

Eprapah Creek, which forms the northern boundary of the property, currently allows

activities such as canoeing/kayaking. As a method of further funding for maintenance

of the property, there are new plans for low impact recreational activities such as a

tree-top ropes course on the southern perimeter adjacent to Colbourne Ave.

Due to the large area of bushland, including creek and estuarine riparian, the property

is a remarkable refuge for wildlife, bird species in particular. In addition there are

many species of crustacea, reptiles and fish 1n both the freshwater and tidal parts of

the creek. There is considerable plant diversity, and, as would be expected, a plethora

BEDS Pe De Pe PE DT be a bd Pe Pe bd be Pe bd Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 38

of invertebrates including many species of dragon/damselflies, beetles, moths and

butterflies.

It was because of the potential to augment the butterfly population that (about 13

years ago) the writer was asked to help design and plant up a dedicated butterfly

garden on the south-eastern boundary of the property adjacent to the Cleveland-

Redland Bay road (see “butterfly garden” on photo of property map). The “garden”

area was marked out and a circuit path put in by a team of about a dozen young job

aspirants in a Federal Government funded Green Corps team. Many of the applicable

butterfly host plants were grown from seed in a nursery on site and some were

supplied by the writer from his own nursery. Although the initial planting was mainly

done over about 12 months, the whole process took three or four years of dedicated

management (weeding, watering etc.) to ensure the plants were sufficiently

established.

To encourage butterfly species that were uncommon in the Redlands, it was decided

to include some native SEQ plants that were not normally found locally. Because of

the hype at the time about bringing back the Richmond Birdwing to the Greater

Brisbane area, 1t was decided to include its lowland host vine Pararistolochia

praevenosa which several local people had already introduced to their gardens in the

hope of encouraging passing female birdwings to oviposit. About this time in my own

garden I had noticed female birdwings attracted to flowers (Melicope and Melaleuca)

on two occasions and surmised that they could only have come from the closest

known colony at Mt Tamborine, about 45km SSW as the “Common” Crow flies! A

few years later I found a larva on one of my garden vines and about 5 years ago there

was a report (with photos in the local paper) of an emergence of the butterfly from a

vine 1n the garden of a Thornlands property not far from Eprapah.

Many of our more spectacular butterflies are hosted by native lianas and scramblers

but understandably people are reluctant to plant vigorously growing vines 1n their

gardens. I saw no such restrictions at Eprapah and introduced many vines into the

planting. Among those were: 7rophis scandens or Burny Vine, which hosts the

stunning Purple Crow butterfly (Euploea tulliolus); Callerya (syn Millettia)

megasperma or Native Wisteria, host for the Narrow-banded Awl (Hasora khoda)

and Common Pencilled-blue (Candalides absimilis); Melodorum leichhardtii ,

Rauwenhoffia or Zig-Zag Vine, which hosts the delicate Four-barred Swordtail

(Protographium leosthenes), Pale Triangle (Graphium eurypylus) and Common Red-

eye (Chaetocneme beata). This last (clumsily renamed the Eastern Dusk-flat) is one

of the group of large skippers known as “Flats” because they perch with all wings

extended horizontally (usually upside-down on the underside of a leaf), fly at dusk

and are rarely seen. I was first to record them using Rauwenhoffia when I found their

shelters on the vine, whilst searching for Swordtail larvae in my garden. They are

evidently at Eprapah as at least one spent shelter was seen on a laurel, as well as small

BEDS Pe De be PE De be Pe bd Pe Pe bd be Pe be Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 39

“leaf cut-outs”, made by first or second instar larvae which had moved on or were

taken by foraging wasps or Jumper Ants.

It was pleasing to show our group the amazing growth of all these vines which had

ascended into the canopy and festooned many of the dead wattles and native cypress,

bringing them back to life! As well there were many other interesting host trees and

shrubs such as: Tulipwood (Harpullia pendula), host for the Bright Cornelian

(Deudorix diovis) and at least four other lycaenid butterflies; Native Mulberry

(Pipturus argenteus), host for the Jezebel Nymph (Mynes geoffroyi), Speckled Line-

blue (Catopyrops florinda) and three others; Cluster Berry or Limeberry

(Micromelum minutum) host for both Orchard and Fuscous Swallowtails; Pongamia

(Millettia pinnata) host for the White-banded Plane (aka Common Aeroplane),

Chrome and Narrow-banded Awls and at least three lycaenids.

Also noted was a large Senna sulfurea (in the native S. surattensis group) which had

fallen over but remained 1n full glorious flower. This had been part of a planting of

cassias and sennas done to encourage the Lemon and Yellow Migrants to use the site,

which duly succeeded. This senna seed Glenn Leiper, Peter Hendry and I had

collected from a tree (containing Yellow Migrant larvae) on Mt Stradbroke in the

Muinden/Marburg range to the west.

Another aspect of the planting was to include plants (butterfly hosts and others) with

different aromas, textures, leaf shapes etc. in a section called the Senses Loop. This

was to show visitors (including the visually impaired) our botanical variety, and

included plants such as Brachychitons, Lemon Scented Myrtle, Aniseed Myrtle, Bush

Smell, Curry Leaf, Sandpaper Fig, Rough-leafed Elm and Native Hibiscus.

Additionally within the plantings were a number of butterfly host plants which were

considered to be good bush food. These included two species of Macadamia, two

species of native limes, Peanut Tree (Sterculia quadrifida), and the aforementioned

Rauwenhoffia or Zig-Zag Vine, which because of its tangy (sometimes) sherbert-

flavoured fruit is also called “Acid Drop Vine”.

Ironically, on the day of our visit in late autumn, butterflies on the wing were not

evident in the densely planted up area visited. These were either high up in the canopy

visiting the flowering eucalypts or were likely to be seen in sunny adjacent areas such

as the Arboretum where nectar plants were more accessible.

I should also mention that the map of the scout property in the accompanying photo

was produced by myself and fellow BOIC member Peter Hendry (utilising his

professional talents and the club’s old Garmin GPS unit) while we surveyed the area

over many pleasant sunny days during one week in the early 2000’s, not-with-

standing ticks, Jumper Ants and (fever carrying) saltpan Aedes vigilax mosquitoes!

Faded photocopies are given out to visitors at the Mungara hut, but there is more

permanent testament to our efforts (with no credit given!) over the main road and

adjacent to the lake near the Lakeside Restaurants at Victoria Point shopping centre,

BEES Pe De be PE he be Pe Ps pe he bd be be be Pe bd pg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 40

where a (slightly vandalised)

etched/anodised metal version stands

alone.PS: The Friends of Eprapah

Scout support group invite BOIC

members who would like to visit the

site to call in any time (daylight

hours!) and self-guide themselves

around the property at own risk.

Alternatively I will be leading a

Queensland Naturalists’ Club visit to

Eprapah on the weekend of 21/22

October next and BOIC are welcome

to join (may be more butterflies in the spring!).

pat

Pararistolochia praevenosa in flower Rauwenhoffia or Acid Drop Vine (Melodorum

Photo Glenn Leiper

“ub a ? at

Red-eye Flat (Chaetocneme beata) Peanut Tree (Sterculia quadrifida) in fruit

spent shelter on laurel

Photos, except where previously credited, John Moss

is co Oo Co Co co Oo Oo Os Oo Oo Oe Go Go ca Co to to CU

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 41

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE ANSWER

And the answer Is ....... Ishiopsopha sp., Mer Island,

Torres Strait — body length 30mm

This, and previous image, Trevor Lambkin

” - -<y7--. ;

: : . : .

- — / 7 - os ’ é -

, = ~— a + .

7H Just wondering if you could identify this black

_ caterpillar for me. It was in my backyard in

Tamborine Mountain, Qld. Regards, Rose Robin

Pt It is the larva of the Leaf Wing butterfly

(Doleschallia bisaltide). Ross

Images of the

adult and pupa

Hongming Kan

OTHER GROUPS’ ACTIVITIES

SGAP Spring Wildflower Show and Native Plants Market

When: 16" - 17" September 2017from 9am to 3pm

Where: Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha

What: The Spring Native Flower Show and Plants Market 1s a much anticipated

yearly event. As well as the spectacular Spring Wildflower display, they will have a

range of native plants for you to buy. Get some expert advice from the growers and

learn something new at the Speaker's Corner. BOIC will have a display at this

event.

Cubberla-Witton Catchwork Network Inc Pollinator Festival

When: Sunday 8" October 2017 from 10am to 2pm

Where: CWCN Centre, 47 Hepworth Street, Chapel Hill

What: A celebration of pollinators - bees, birds, bats, bugs, butterflies and

moths. There will native plants, displays, speakers, music, face painting, trivia quiz,

costume competition for kids, themed kids activities, crafts, food and refreshments.

BOIC will have a display at this event.

PE PS PERE PS Pe Pe be PED be be he bd Pee bd Pe be

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 42

BUTTERFLY AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES CLUB PROGRAMME

Rick Natrass Environmental Park, Goodna

When: 10am 21st October 2017

Where: 82 Eric Street, Goodna

What you may expect to see: Imperial Hairstreak, other butterflies, large variety of

host plants and so many bugs to see you will go bug eyed yourself.

What to bring: Hat, water, insect repellant, lunch, camera, good walking shoes

RSVP: Phone Paul Klicin on 0411 031 406 or email paulez2@hotmail.com

Planning and General Meeting

What: Our quarterly planning meetings are informative and interesting and we

welcome members to contribute to discussion. This meeting will be followed by a

tour of the EcoCentre facilities and a walk in the bush nearby (part of Toohey Forest).

When: 10am Saturday 11 November 2017

Where: The Eco Centre, Griffith University campus. Parking 1s plentiful and free.

What to bring: Enthusiasm is welcome. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided.

Pooh Corner (Western end) Wacol

When: 10am 18th November 2017

Where: Wacol Station Road (runs past Prison). Look for the Pooh Corner sign. Park

on roadside.

What you may expect to see: Clearing Swallowtail, Lesser Wanderer, Blue Triangle,

Joseph’s Coat Moth lavae and other butterflies and bugs and host plants.

What to bring: Hat, water, insect repellant, lunch, camera, good walking shoes

RSVP: Phone Paul Klicin on 0411 031 406 or email him at paulez2@hotmail.com

Springbrook National Park Revisited

When: 10am 2™ December 2017

Where: Following significant damage from ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie, Gold

Coast-Springbrook Road from Mudgeeraba remains closed until further notice.

Access to Springbrook National Park 1s via Numimbah Valley along Pine Creek Road

only. Please contact Paul closer to the date to check on road conditions.

Meet at: Tallabana picnic area which is near Canyon Lookout off Canyon Parade.

Amenities: Toilets, picnic tables

What you may expect to see: Richmond Birdwing, Land Mullet, awesome rock

formations and waterfalls.

What to bring: Hat, water, insect repellant, lunch, camera, good walking shoes

RSVP: Phone Paul Klicin on 0411 031 406 or email him at paulez2@hotmail.com

BEDS REDS PF Oe be PE De De Pe bs Pe be pe Pe bd be be

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 43

DISCLAIMER

The magazine seeks to be as scientifically accurate as possible but the views,

opinions, and observations expressed are those of the authors. The magazine is a

plattorm for people, both amateur and professional, to express their views and

observations about invertebrates. These are not necessarily those of the BOIC. The

manuscripts are submitted for comment to entomologists or people working in the

area of the topic being discussed. 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 is done with the efforts of:

e Those members who have sent in letters and articles

e Andrew Atkins who provided the cover painting

e Daphne Bowden who works on layout, production, and distribution

e Kelvyn Dunn, Ross Kendall, Richard Zietek, John Moss and Ted Edwards for

scientific referencing and proof-reading of various articles in this issue of the

magazine

ARE YOU A MEMBER?

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

your membership 1s due, please renew as soon as possible. Annual membership fees

are $30.00 for individuals, 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

number and surname e.g. 234 Roberts.

Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club Inc.

PO Box 2113

RUNCORN Q. 4113

Next Club event: Rick Natrass Environmental Park, Goodna —21st October 2017

BEDS PE DS PF OE be PE DS De Pe be Pe be pe Re bd Pe bg

Magazine of the Butterfly and Other Invertebrates Club #86 — Page 44