Butterflies south of the Adelaide Plain

Further information on the butterflies that occur south of Adelaide will come soon. This will include all of South Australia and will include species that only occur in the South East of the state as they prefer the milder summers and are primarily southern Australian species occurring in Victoria and Tasmania.

Many of our endangered species occur in remnant vegetation patches on the Fleurieu Peninsula, in particular in remnant wetlands. This list includes butterflies which may occur in the Fleurieu Peninsula to Goolwa.

Butterflies of this region

Australian Admiral
Vanessa itea

A common butterfly; caterpillars eat leaves from the nettle family and have adapted to the foreign stinging nettle.

Australian Painted Lady
Vanessa kershawi

Common in Adelaide gardens, particularly during spring as they migrate in from northern areas.

Bitter-bush Blue
Theclinesthes albocincta

Found in coastal areas. Butterflies in hot, dry areas have very reduced blue areas. Caterpillars feed on the bitter bush (Adriana).

Black and White
Sedge-skipper
Antipoda atralba

Occurs along coastal cliff-tops south of Adelaide and in pristine heathland in the hills.

Blotched Dusky-blue
Candalides acastus

Common in undisturbed native vegetation areas. Caterpillars prefer to eat small, slender species of parasitic dodder-laurel.

Broad-margined Azure
Ogyris olane

Males fly around the tops of the mistletoe host-trees or gather on hilltops. Females fly around the mistletoe.

Caper white
Belenois java teutonia

Annually seen migrating (often in very large numbers) from northern Australia in November to December.

Chequered Copper
Lucia limbaria

Rare, occasionally seen in undisturbed fringe urban areas, or in meadow areas and reserves. Caterpillars eat native sorrel.

Chequered swallowtail
Papilio demoleus

A migratory butterfly that is common and widespread in the north, but now only an occasional visitor to Adelaide.

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.

Donnysa sedge-skipper
Hesperilla donnysa

A common butterfly along the South Mt Lofty Range where it is found along valleys and in wetland areas.

Flame Sedge-skipper
Hesperills idothea clara

A rare butterfly found in cool wetland areas of the South Mt Lofty Range. Caterpillars feed on large species of saw-sedges growing in shade.

Fringed Heath-blue
Neolucia agricola agricola

Found in woodland and heath areas during spring. Caterpillars eat small, native bush-peas.

Genoveva Azure
Ogyris genoveva

The iridescent blue upper side is only seen when flying. Caterpillars feed on yellow mistletoe (Amyema spp.).

Golden-haired Sedge-skipper
Hesperilla chrysotricha

Now threatened in the South Mt. Lofty Ranges. Most likely to be seen in pristine, open wetland areas south of McLaren Vale.

Icilus Blue
Jalmenus icilius

Now rare in the Adelaide area. Usually occurs in small colonies in woodland areas near its host plant.

Large Brown Skipper
Motasingha trimaculata trimaculata

A rare woodland species found along the South Mt. Lofty Range. Caterpillars are found on certain Lepidosperma spp.

Lesser Wanderer
Danaus petilia

This widespread butterfly is generally uncommon in Adelaide. In the Adelaide area the caterpillars feed on introduced milkweeds.

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.

Mottled Grass-skipper
Anisynta cynone

A rare butterfly found in coastal areas, but only flies during Autumn (March-April). Its caterpillars feed on grasses.

Ringed Xenica
Geitoneura acanthi

An increasingly rare butterfly, it prefers pristine, damp grassy gullies along the South Mt. Lofty Range.

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).

Small Grass Yellow
Eurema smilax

A small to medium sized migratory species from northern pastoral areas, often seen flying through Adelaide during spring.

Southern Grass-dart
Oxybadistes walkeri

Reasonably common; especially the eastern side of the city, its caterpillars feed on native and introduced grasses.

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.

Western Dusky-blue
Candalides hyacinthinus simplex

Now occurs east of the Mt Lofty Range, flying near its hostplant. Caterpillars feed on coarse parasitic dodder laurel growing on mallee.

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.

See also

These butterflies may visit your garden

Butterfly nectar plants of the Adelaide region
Plants information