Plants and Animals

.

Eltham Copper Butterfly Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida Vulnerable | Where They Live | Ecology and Habitat | Survival Needs | Threats | Conservation | You Can Help Further Information | Threatened Species Index | Eltham Copper Butterfly - Action Statement

Vulnerable The Eltham Copper Butterfly (Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida) was discovered in 1938 in Eltham, an outer suburb of Melbourne. After 1956 it was thought to be extinct until a population was found again at Eltham in 1986. Since then this small butterfly - its wingspan is only 2.5cm - has diminished in abundance and numbers due to destruction of its habitat and the isolation of populations. It is listed as Threatened under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and is considered Vulnerable. .

Where They Live The butterfly is known from three general locations: ten sites in the Eltham-Greensborough area near Melbourne, . one site at Castlemaine and . six separate small populations in the Kiata-Salisbury area west of Dimboola.

Ecology and Habitat
.

The Eltham Copper Butterfly prefers woodland habitat with an understorey containing the shrub Sweet Bursaria and a ground layer of native grasses, mosses and leaf litter. Female adults lay eggs during summer on the shoots and stems of Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa), and sometimes in the leaf litter close to the base of the plants. The larvae hatch after about 10 to 14 days and shelter and develop in the ant's nest located around the plant roots. Larvae are nocturnal, sheltering in the nest during the day and emerging at night to feed on the Bursaria leaves, where they are constantly attended by the ants. In return for this protection and care, the ants feed on secretions of sugar and amino acids from the larvae. This may keep the larvae free from fungal and bacterial disease. Adult butterflies emerge between late November and January. They feed on the nectar produced by the flowers of small and larger Sweet Bursaria plants, and sometimes on nectar of other plants such as Hakea and Cassinia species. Survival Needs The life cycle of the butterfly is intricately linked to the Sweet Bursaria and to ants of the genus Notoncus. The special relationship between the two insect groups and the Bursaria is the key to the butterfly's survival. .Threats

.

The main threats to the long-term survival of the Eltham Copper Butterfly are:

• destruction and fragmentation of habitat by trampling, slashing and clearing, and rubbish dumping; alteration to drainage regimes; and wildfires;
  .
• environmental weeds, particularly Cape Broom, Radiata Pine and Large Quaking Grass, which can invade butterfly habitat and compete with the native food plants;
  .
• competition for food with introduced wildlife - Brown Hares and rabbits are known to eat the host Sweet Bursaria plants;
  .
• fire regimes causing understorey vegetation to grow excessively, which may reduce the area the butterflies can use as flight paths.

The Department of Sustainability and Environment/Department of Primary Industries, Parks Victoria, Museum of Victoria, Friends of the Eltham Copper Butterfly, the City of Banyule and the Shire of Nillumbik are actively managing the butterfly's protection by:

• long-term population monitoring;
  .
• protecting the habitat in a series of reserves where development is strictly controlled;
  .
• improving habitat on private land in the Eltham area by planting host plants to help the dispersal of butterflies between reserves:,
  .
• public education about the butterfly; and
  .
• studies of plant, butterfly and ant responses to fire by conducting ecological burning trials in key habitat areas

• Familiarise yourself with any Eltham Copper Butterfly reserves in your neighbourhood.
  .
• Encourage your local council and neighbours to retain or restore original native understorey, especially Sweet Bursaria, on their properties if you have a reserve in your neighbourhood.
  .
• Join the Friends of the Eltham Copper Butterfly.

		.
Parks Victoria Customer Service Centre 131 963		.	City of Banyule Environmental Officer (03) 9457 9999
Department of Sustainability and Environment/Department of Primary Industries Customer Service Centre 136 186		.	Port Phillip Region Box Hill (03) 9296 4400 South West Region Horsham (03) 5381 1255 . .
North West Region Bendigo (03) 5430 4444		.	Shire of Nillumbik Environmental Officer (03) 9433 3111 . .
Museum of Victoria (03) 8341 7777		.	Friends of Eltham Copper Butterfly (03) 9411 5158