Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Common Crow Butterfly
Euploea core
-28.3206, 153.459
Field Notes
Description:
The adult butterfly is easily recognised by its dark brown wings that are spotted white along the margins. The male's forewing has a bow-shaped hind margin, while the female's is straight.
The adult butterflies only have four normal legs, as the first pair of legs is not fully developed (a common feature of the Family Nymphalidae).
The larvae (caterpillars) are orange-brown with a dark underside, with each segment striped black and white across the top. The sides of the caterpillar have a white band or series of white spots. Eight paired fleshy appendages ('tentacles') are found on the upper side of the second, third, fifth and eighth segments. The pupa (chrysalis) is stout (about 1.8 cm long) and shiny, reflecting silver to gold.
Habitat:
The Common Crow Butterfly is found in Queensland and northern New South Wales, and also occurs across northern Australia as far west as Onslow in Western Australia. It has on occasion extended its range as far south as Victoria, and pupae have been found in Cootamundra and Kandos, New South Wales, which are west of the Great Dividing Range. It has been found in Alice Springs, Adelaide and Lord Howe Island. It has also been common at times in Sydney (1947-48; 1954-55 and more recently).
Comments (3)