This page contains information and pictures about Australian
Painted Lady Butterflies in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Wingspan 55mm
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- This is a medium size butterfly, not always seen in Brisbane. The wings
are bright orange in colour with black and white patterns. There are four
eye spots on each hind wings. The underside of the hind wings are pale brown
in colour, with grey and white patterns. They have a rapid flight,
usually about a meter from ground. Both female and male spend a lot of time
feeding nectar at flowers.
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- Their caterpillars are brown in
colour with short hairs. They hide during the day in curled leaf of foot plants
and feed at night. Their food plants include Capeweed Arctotheca
calendula and Everlastings Helichrysum.
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- The male
Painted Lady Butterflies show very strong territorial
habit. The males take up good positions and wait for the females, where
are usually the forest edges or the sides of foot path.
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- Usually at the same location we found the Painted Lady Butterfly, we can
also found the Meadow Argus Butterfly.
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- The males rest on
the ground or plants materials closed to the ground. Whenever another male
come near by, they will chase them away.
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- When the butterflies rest, they usually open their wings, both for
sun-bathing to warm up their body and show their attractive colour patterns
to their mates.
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- After sunset, the butterflies hide among leaves up on the trees and rest
with wings closed. All bright colours on their wings are covered and they
are hardly be seen.
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- Australian Painted Lady is known a strong migrant and although mostly
confined to Australia. When migrating, their flight is normally direct and
swift at about 1-2 meters above ground.