Although the sky was overcast and there were intermittent drizzles, many butterflies were visible, as were other invertebrates and birds. Below are some shots of the critters I encountered.
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First up, a Mottled Emigrant (Catopsilia pyranthe) caterpillar on its host plant, Senna alata, also known as Seven Golden Candlesticks. There were caterpillars of various instars on the plant, although I did not notice and adult Mottled Emigrants. |
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A hapless Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis lampa) impaled on the fangs of a crab spider |
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A garishly coloured and undoubtedly toxic White-Marked Tussock Moth (Orgyia leucostigma) caterpillar lying in full view and enjoying a late lunch |
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A Ciliate Blue (Anthene emolus goberus) feeding on Leea rubra blooms. It appeared very contented and quite lethargic. |
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A Bush Hopper (Ampittia dioscorides camertes) basking on a leaf. These are small butterflies which 'skip' around amongst tall blades of grass. |
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More Bush Hoppers |
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Another Bush Hopper |
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The underside of the Bush Hopper |
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Most likely a Yellow Grass Dart (Taractrocera archias quinta). No hook at the end of the antennae unlike the Lesser Dart. |
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A Tawny Coster (Acraea violae) feeling on the blooms of Mikania micrantha. Lots of these butterflies fluttering around the park. |
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The undoubted highlight of the trip, the Long-banded Silverline (Spindasis lohita senama). This particular individual was looked remarkably pristine. The underside of the Long-banded Silverline is strikingly and quite whimsically marked. There were a few of these butterflies around a particular Leea rubra bush, and they kept returning to their favourite perches. |
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Long-banded Silverline |
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Long-banded Silverline |
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A more fortunate Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina otis lampa) perched on a blade of grass. |