Tirumala hamata, the Blue Tiger, campus overwintering aggregation
Butterfly aggregations in the campus rainforest patch are made up of Euploea spp. From May to September there are 10-50 000 butterflies resident. Tirumala hamata aggregations also occur in the patch but tend to be smaller and are more susceptible to disturbance. The aggregations are fairly dynamic, breaking up if there is any dry season rain, then reforming as the habitat dries out. When observing these aggregations please take care not to disturb the butterflies as they will abandon the site if disturbed.
Large numbers of butterflies may be seen passing through the campus from time to time. Their flight is in one direction only and may continue for several days. This migratory behaviour is not just a spreading out from a population centre in search of food. Migration has been recorded for several north Queensland butterfly species, mostly belonging to the families Nymphalidae and Pieridae.
Euploea core corinna, the common Australian crow, and Tirumala hamata hamata, the blue tiger; are two common species that migrate through this area regularly. They can often be seen in May moving in a general northerly direction; and less obviously, in the late dry season moving south. Other species that can be seen accompanying them are Danaus chrysippus petilia, the lesser wanderer; and Anaphaeis java teutonia, the caper white.
The lemon migrant, Catopsilia pomona pomona arrives in numbers in December, and the fast-flying skipper Badamia exclamationis (the brown awl) can often be seen moving south in large numbers around the same time. This skipper passes through on its way north again in March or April.
Diversity: Over eighty species of butterfly are commonly found on campus. These include not only such well-known and beautiful species as the Cairns birdwing Ornithoptera priamus euphorion, the spectacular blue Ulysses swallowtail Papilio ulysses joesa, the Northern Jezabel Delias argenthona, and the brilliant oak blues Arhopala centaurus centaurus, A. madytus, and A. micale amphis; but also less visible yet no less interesting species.
The Australian leafwing Doleschallia bisaltide australis, displays, as its name might suggest, an incredible resemblance to a dead leaf. A strong flyer in more densely wooded areas, it rests with folded wings upside-down on leafy branches. The pattern of lines and spots on its underside enables it to blend in with the surrounding vegetation.
The moth butterfly, Liphyra brassolis major, belongs to the same family as the common blue butterflies of open grassy areas (Lycaenidae). A more unlikely member of the family would be hard to find however. The adults are large robust butterflies with stout moth-like bodies covered in loose scales. Furthermore, they are not active in bright sunshine like most other butterflies, but prefer to be about their business at dawn and dusk. Their larvae are no less strange. Search as you might you won't find these odd little caterpillars on vegetation. They will only be found within the nests of the green tree ant Oecophylla smaragdina, feeding on the juices of the ant larvae.
