General Description

Above: brown with orange patches and blue-centred eyespots on both pairs of wings. Below: pale brown, with eyespots as above on the forewing, and grey-brown mottled hindwing. Wingspan up to 4.5 cm.

Biology

This is one of the first spring butterflies. A common food plant for the caterpillars is Ribwort, Plantago lanceolata. Butterflies feed on Chrysocephalum and other native daisies (Asteraceae).

Distribution

Occurs throughout Australia although uncommon in arid areas.

Habitat

Abundant in open grasslands, but also found in woodlands and gardens.

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