Plant community No. 2
This ‘open forest’ is dominated by South Australian Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) and River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). It is found on red-brown clays and sandy clays on foot slopes.
Caterpillar food plants in this community
Ground layer
- Native Lilac (Hardenbergia violacea)
- Native Sorrel (Oxalis perennans)
- Scarlet Runner (Kennedia prostrata)
Grasses
- Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)
- Weeping Rice-Grass (Microlaena stipoides var. stipoides)
Sedges
- Small Mat-Rush (Lomandra nana)
Shrubs
- Bristly Bush-Pea (Pultenaea acerosa)
- Pale Fanflower (Scaevola albida)
- Twiggy Bush-Pea (Pultenaea largiflorens)
Trees and Mistletoes
- Box Mistletoe (Amyema miquelii) [on River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), SA Blue Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) and Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa)]
- Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)
- Native Cherry (Exocarpos cupressiformis)
- Wire-leaf Mistletoe (Amyema preissii) [on Blackwood (Eucalyptus melanoxylon)]
See also
Butterfly nectar plants of the Adelaide region
Plants information
Butterflies of this plant community
Broad-margined Azure
Ogyris olane
Males fly around the tops of the mistletoe host-trees or gather on hilltops. Females fly around the mistletoe.
Chequered Copper
Lucia limbaria
Rare, occasionally seen in undisturbed fringe urban areas, or in meadow areas and reserves. Caterpillars eat native sorrel.
Common Brown
Heteronympha merope
A very common butterfly found in most areas retaining some native vegetation that includes grasses.
Common Grass-blue
Zizena labradus
Often very common, seen flitting low in open grassy areas. Caterpillars feed on herbaceous pea plants and have adapted to clover.
Fringed Heath-blue
Neolucia agricola agricola
Found in woodland and heath areas during spring. Caterpillars eat small, native bush-peas.
Southern Grass-dart
Oxybadistes walkeri
Reasonably common; especially the eastern side of the city, its caterpillars feed on native and introduced grasses.
Phigalia Skipper
Trapezites phigalia
Found only in the Adelaide Hills along ridge tops. Caterpillars eat the mat-rush Lomandra spp.
Long-tailed Pea-blue
Lampidies boeticus
Often common around its host plants of small pea flowering herbs, shrubs and vines. Caterpillars eat the flowers and pods.
Marbled Xenica
Geitoneura klugii
This butterfly flies in spring and summer, found in most areas retaining some native vegetation that includes grasses.
Meadow Argus
Junonia villida calybe
A common butterfly found in meadows, open reserves or vacant blocks. Caterpillars eat native and introduced herbaceous plants and weeds.
Satin Azure
Ogyris amaryllis meridionalis
The bright metallic blue upper side is usually only seen when flying. Caterpillars feed on mistletoe (only Amyema spp).
Tailed Emperor
Polyura sempronius
Not common. This butterfly is a recent (1973) immigrant from the eastern states. Caterpillars feed on eastern states trees such as Kurrajong.
Two-spotted Line-blue
Nacaduba biocellata biocellata
Common in fringe urban areas on the plains; rare in the hills. Has a very small caterpillar that eats Acacia (wattle) buds.
Wattle Blue
Theclinesthes miskini miskini
Usually seen congregating on the tops of hills. Caterpillars eat the leaves of Acacia (wattles).
White-banded Grass-dart
Taractrocera papyria
Now rare and most likely to be seen along grassy creek lines; its caterpillars feed on native and introduced grasses.
Wood White
Delias aganippe
This is a rare butterfly in the Adelaide area, the caterpillars feed on mistletoe (only Amyema spp.) and quandong.
