Plant community No. 34
This ‘grassland’ is dominated by Spear Grass (Austrostipa spp.) and Wallaby Grass (Austrodanthonia spp.). It is found on red-brown clays and sandy clays, on watercourses, swamps and lagoons.
Caterpillar food plants in this community
Ground layer
- Lagoon Saltbush (Atriplex suberecta)
- Native Sorrel (Oxalis perennans)
Grasses
- Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)
Sedges
- Fen Sedge (Carex gaudichaudiana)
Shrubs
- Berry Saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata)
- Coastal Wattle (Acacia longifolia ssp. sophorae)
- Green Saltbush (Atriplex australasica)
- Umbrella Bush (Acacia ligulata)
Trees
- Box Mistletoe (Amyema miquelii) [on River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)]
- Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)
See also
Butterfly nectar plants of the Adelaide region
Plants information
Butterflies of this plant community
Chequered Copper
Lucia limbaria
Rare, occasionally seen in undisturbed fringe urban areas, or in meadow areas and reserves. Caterpillars eat native sorrel.
Broad-margined Azure
Ogyris olane
Males fly around the tops of the mistletoe host-trees or gather on hilltops. Females fly around the mistletoe.
Common Brown
Heteronympha merope
A very common butterfly found in most areas retaining some native vegetation that includes grasses.
Genoveva Azure
Ogyris genoveva
The iridescent blue upper side is only seen when flying. Caterpillars feed on yellow mistletoe (Amyema spp.).
Marbled Xenica
Geitoneura klugii
This butterfly flies in spring and summer, found in most areas retaining some native vegetation that includes grasses.
Saltbush Blue
Theclinesthes serpentata
Common around saltbushes on which its caterpillars feed.
Satin Azure
Ogyris amaryllis meridionalis
The bright metallic blue upper side is usually only seen when flying. Caterpillars feed on mistletoe (only Amyema spp).
Southern Grass-dart
Oxybadistes walkeri
Reasonably common; especially the eastern side of the city, its caterpillars feed on native and introduced grasses.
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.
