Friday Fun Fact – Cruiser Butterflies (vindula arsinoe)
Cruiser butterflies have lots of personality! As caterpillars they are very fast and frisky, and lab staff often have to chase after them during feeding time as they like to wander. One interesting trait they have that distinguishes them from our other species is the tendency for female Cruisers to lay their eggs on […]
Friday Fun Fact – Osmeterium
The Osmeterium is a defence mechanism that all Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars have. Swallowtails are the big butterflies like Cairns Birdwings, Orchards and Ulysses. The osmeterium is an organ above the head of the caterpillar in the first body segment. If the caterpillar feels threatened, two bright red or orange horns pop out, as well as […]
Friday Fun Fact – Butterfly Courtship
Butterfly courtship is often very beautiful to watch. The male butterfly shows off his handsome colours – he’s usually very good looking! By following the lady butterfly and mimicking her movements, he’s trying to prove that he’s ‘got the moves’ – that he’s the best flyer around. The final courtship manoeuvre by the male is to […]
Friday Fun Fact – Territorial Butterflies
Did you know? Some species of butterflies can be quite territorial. For example, Common Eggfly butterflies are some of the most territorial butterflies around. They will choose one spot that they consider to be theirs, and chase away any intruders including Cairns Birdwings which are more than twice their size. Walking through the Butterfly Sanctuary, you often […]
Butterfly Releases for Weddings
We’ve talked about having your wedding at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, but did you know we can also help you with butterfly releases for weddings? Releasing butterflies at weddings has become a popular new tradition. It is an environmentally friendly alternative to rice, confetti and balloons … and is a beautiful way to celebrate your union! The butterfly […]
Friday Fun Fact – Lemon Migrant Butterflies
We are excited to have beautiful sun-yellow Lemon Migrant butterflies (Catopsilia Pomona) at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary now. They are a vibrant, striking butterfly. Their wing colour can vary from yellow to creamy white, with dark margins. Their caterpillars are a well camouflaged green colour with creamy white lines along each side. The Lemon Migrant […]
Friday Fun Fact – Monarch Butterflies in Australia
We are proud to say we now have Monarch butterflies in Australia … more specifically, we have Monarch butterflies here at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary! This photo is of the first Monarch butterfly to be bred at the Butterfly Sanctuary … ever! Monarch butterflies are one of the most well-known butterflies in the world. They originated […]
Friday Fun Fact – Day Flying Moths
Did you know that there are day flying moths? They are also known as diurnal moths, and they don’t just hang around at night! The Zodiac moth, Four O’clock moth, and Joseph’s Coat moth are just a few examples. We are very excited to announce that the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary will be introducing the Joseph’s […]
Friday Fun Fact – Chequered Swallowtail
Introducing the Chequered Swallowtail! This new species is soon to be on display at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. It is unusual in that it doesn’t have a tail tip on its wings, like other members of the swallowtail/Papilio family. They are sometimes migratory in huge flutters and are found all over Australia except for Tasmania. […]
Friday Fun Fact – Blue Banded Eggfly
In the early 2000’s we had the Blue Banded Eggfly here at the Butterfly Sanctuary, but due to the lack of host plants, as well as the fact that they are seasonal, we stopped breeding them. We have increased the plots of Asytasia now, and are slowly re introducing the Blue Banded Eggflies back into the […]