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Wattle Blue Butterfly

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Theclinesthes miskini

Description

wattle blue butterfly

The Wattle Blue butterfly is a small butterfly with a wingspan of only 20 mm.  Adults are pale blue on their upper side with chequered margins, but females also have a broad black band around their margins.  The underside of the wings is fawn with several white markings. The butterfly has an eyespot and tail which creates the appearance of an artificial ‘head’ which is thought to confuse predators.  The caterpillars are usually green to brown in colour with a dark dorsal (upper) band and pale diagonal streaks.  The oval shape of the caterpillar is well camouflaged on the flower buds and new leaf foliage.

Adaptations

  • Secrete a substance which attracts ants which then act as a deterrent to the predators of the caterpillars e.g. mutualism
  • Caterpillars are well camouflaged on the foliage of their host plants

Feeding relationships

  • What I eat: caterpillars - soap tree, select wattles and eucalypts; adults - nectar
  • What eats me: parasitic wasps, spiders, birds, lizards

Interesting facts

The butterfly has an eyespot and tail which creates the appearance of an artificial 'head' which induces predators to attack the wrong end of the butterfly.

Acknowledgement:  Coffs Harbour Butterfly House


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Last reviewed 10 June 2020
Last updated 10 June 2020