Colours
Distinguishing features
It has two brownish wings, each covered with two distinctive black and blue eyespots as well as white and orange marks that appear on the edge of the wings. The eyespots are a defense mechanism that are not only used to frighten predators away, but also to confuse the predators into thinking that the eyespots are the target, allowing the butterfly to escape with only a small part of the wing being lost.
The underside of the wings are mainly unmarked, except the lower part of the fore wing has similar markings as the upper side. (Wikipedia)
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Wingspan
- Up to 4 cm - applies to Males
- Up to 4.3 cm - applies to Females
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
It can be found mainly on the Australian mainland, as well as in Tasmania, Kangaroo Island, Lord Howe Island, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Tuvalu, Samoa and Cook Islands.
They reside in urban areas, forests, woodlands, and grasslands, though they are uncommon during the winter months. Every year during October or November, the butterflies migrate from southern Australia to warmer areas in the north. (Wikipedia)
Behaviour
When resting, it can sit in four different positions depending on the current situation. These positions include: if the sun is shining, the butterfly will open and relax its wings;
if danger approaches while in the sunlight the butterfly will open its wings further revealing eyespots on its hindwings; if the sun is not shining the butterfly will close its wings; and
if danger approaches while there is no sunlight the butterfly will raise its frontwings revealing hidden eyespots. (Wikipedia)
