Common Crow or Oleander Butterfly (Euploea core) Danainae Nymphalidae
Published April 5, 2012 | “The adults have a wingspan around 7cm. It is famous for its shiny metallic pupa and beautiful caterpillar with eight long black tentacles. It seems to be a species that prefers a tropical climate, but does breed in N.S.W. It has a lifespan of eleven to thirteen weeks.” A new species for the Conservation Area. This butterfly is famous for its striking pupa, click reference below for more images.
I.D. and text reference courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans and Stella Crossley.
Further reference -http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/nymp/core.html
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Systematics and Biodiversity
Published March 21, 2012 | The peer-reviewed quarterly journal Systematics and Biodiversity recently published the report – Perspectives. Colour and size variation in Junonia villida ( Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae ) : subspecies or phenotypic plasticity ? by R.I. Vane-Wright and W. John Tennant.
The review was based on” examination of c.1500 museum specimens from its entire geographical range from the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean to the Gambiers in mid-Pacific, spanning over 154 degrees of longitude, or 43% of the circumference of the Earth. Mostly found in open grasslands or disturbed areas, including woodlands and disturbed forests from sea-level up to 1500m or more in elevation, it is variable in wing colour pattern on both upper and lower surfaces. The causes of this variability are uncertain, but temperature, photoperiod, rainfall, migration and perhaps underlying geographical differentiation may all play a role.”
The Clarence Valley Meadow Argus butterfly is represented by the image on lower right side taken on the Conservation Area for the cover illustration showing six Australian butterfly with various differences in colour pattern.
Further reference available; http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/tsab20/current
Authorization 
and Publisher: Taylor & Francis U.K.
Common Brown Butterfly (Heteronympha merope) Satyrinae, Nymphalidae
Published January 17, 2011 | 
“Common Brown occur across the southern half of Australia, the meropes in Southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. The caterpillars hide by day at the base of their host plant, emerging at night to feed on various grass species (POACEAE) on the wildlife refuge.
I.D. and References courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans.
Further Reference; http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/nymph/merope.html
Lime or Chequered Swallowtail (Papilio demoleus)
Published November 26, 2010 | 
A new sighting for the wildlife refuge. “The adult butterflies have buff coloured wings with wide black edges containing buff spots. The hindwings also have two eyespots, one red and one blue. The underside is similar with narrower and paler black markings. With a wingspan of about 10cm”. First described by Linnaeus in 1758. Images are of the Australian subspecies (sthenelus).
I.D. and reference courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans.
Further reading; http:/lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/papi/demol.html.
Iacchus Skipper Butterfly (Trapezites iacchus) Trapezitinae, Hesperiidae.
Published September 24, 2010 | 
The grey and mottled headed caterpillar feed nocturnally on various species of Mat-rush (Lomandraceae). Across the wildlife refuge this includes the Spiny-headed, Many-flowered and Riverine Mat-rushes. “Males and females of this species look very similar. They are dark brown with a series of translucent white and yellow patches on each forewing. The hindwings have a central yellow band. Found in Queensland and New South Wales with a wingspan around 3cm”.
I.D. courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans.
Further reference: http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/hesp/iacchus.html
Common Jezabel Butterfly (Delias nigrina) Pieridae, sub-family Pierinae.
Published August 17, 2010 | 
Usually sighted flying high in the tree canopy. This image taken following heavy rains, with butterfly seeking shelter low down. They have bright colours on the wings as a warning to predators. Caterpillars feed on Mistletoe which is very common across the wildlife refuge.
Common Eggfly Butterfly (Hypolimnas bolina nerina) Nymphalinae, Nymphalidae.
Published April 29, 2010 | 
“The undersides of the wings of both sexes are usually black with a diagonal white band and a curved arc of white spots on each wing. Found throughout the Pacific to Madagascar. Wingspan of 8cm.” An uncommon visitor to the wildlife refuge as much of their favoured foods are absent.
I.D. and reference courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans.
Further reading; http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/nymp/bolina.html.
Glasswing Butterflies and Pupa (Acraeinae andromacha).
Published April 13, 2010 |
This pair of butterfly and others were observed spending time with Pupa near the billabong on the wildlife refuge ?
Parvula Skipper Butterfly (Toxidia parvulus) Trapezitinae , Hesperiidae.
Published February 27, 2010 | 
A small butterfly, commonly found along the riparian zone through the summer months. “They have dark brown wings with several white spots on forewings. The caterpillars have large, rough black heads and pale brown bodies sometimes with green or pink markings. They feed on Poaceae.”
Reference and I.D. courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans and Stella Crossley.
Common Migrant Butterfly (Catopsilia pyranthe) Coliadinae,Pieridae
Published February 25, 2010 | 
A common migrant across Sportsman Creek wildlife refuge. “the males have a black tip on each forewing. Females have black margins around each wing and a black dot on each forewing. ” Image of butterfly on the underside of Red Ash (Alphitonia excelsia) escaping detection.
Reference and I.D. courtesy of Don Herbison-Evans.
Further reading- http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/pier/pyranth.html