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Marbled Xenica

Geitoneura klugii

Photo by Mark Ridgway
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

A small butterfly with closed wings showing a mottled pattern of tan, cream and brown colours. When I convinced it to open it's wings the upper surfaces revealed an array of black and yellow patterns on all wings. Wingspan was about 25mm. Some attractive colours noted around the thorax.

Habitat:

Within a nature reserve incorporating stringybark, acacias, pomaderris, pittosporum, assorted woody shrubs and grasses.

Notes:

Found in southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.
Caterpillars feed on poaceae.
Thanks martinl for ID.

Reference Links:

Geitoneura klugii - Overview, Geitoneura klugii, Marbled Xenica (Geitoneura klugii)

Species ID Suggestions

Mabled Xenica

Geitoneura klugii

Reference Link
MartinL
1

Comments (4)
Mark Ridgway
Thanks Daniele and Martin. Thanks lori - I'll check into the size issue. Lucky my finger tip is there for comparison.
lori.tas
Mark, every-so-often I spot a tiny little brown butterfly. I figure it must have been an undersized caterpillar when it cocooned. I think that might be why your spotting was so small. They're usually males, so I guess the strategy is that it's better to hatch out little, and on time, than full-sized and too late.
MartinL
Its the smallest of the 'browns'. The clubbed antennae are distinctive for all butterflies and you will never see them on moths (as your previous spotting) which are tapered or feathered.
DanielePralong
Lovely! With these eyespots, possibly Satyrinae Mark? Some possible candidates here? http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/nymp/nymp.html

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Butterflies & Moths of the World
Mission
Dandenong Ranges - fauna & flora
Photographed
PublishedOctober 11, 2013

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