Halyzia Skipper - Mesodina halyzia 

This page contains pictures and information about Halyzia Skipper Butterflies that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia. The butterfly is also known as Eastern Iris-skipper.

 

Female, body length 20mm

---

 

Male 

 

The first picture above was taken in a Alexandra Hill bushland in early summer. The butterfly was feeding on Tea-tree flowers. Then we found another one (2nd picture) in Burbank during late summer. It was sunbathing on a fallen tree trunk.

 

 

 

The butterflies are dark brown in colour with white spots on fore wings. The spot patterns are slightly different between male and female. 

 

 

 

Above pictures were taken in Karawatha Forest during early winter.

 

---

 

Female

 

Found this female in Karawatha Forest on Apr 2009. 

 

 

---

The Caterpillar Foot Plant

Silky Purple Flag Iris

 

Patersonia sericea, Family Iridaceae

 

Their caterpillars are pale green in colour, covered with white powder. They construct shelter by joining leaves with silk on Iridaceae, include the Silky Purple Flag Iris.

---

Reference:

1. Mesodina halyzia - Australian Caterpillars, Don Herbison-Evans & Stella Crossley, 2005.

2. Mesodina halyzia - Australian Insect Common Names, CSIRO 2005.

3. Butterflies of Australia and New Guinea - Barrett, Charles and A. N. Burns, Melbourne, N. H. Seward, 1951, pp176. 

4. The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia - Michael F Braby, Australian National University, CSIRO 2004, p86.

---

 

Back to Top

[ Up ] [ Symmomus Skipper ] [ Brown Ochre ] [ Orange Ochre ] [ Northern Sliver Skipper ] [ Heath Ochre ] [ Large Dingy Skipper ] [ Halyzia Skipper ] [ Spotted Skipper ]

See us in Home page. Download large pictures in Wallpaper web page. Give us comments in Guest Book, or send email. A great way to support us is to buy the Brisbane Insects and Spiders CD.  
Last updated: June 12, 2010.