This season the larger butterflies have been a bit sparse, whereas on the other hand, Yellow-banded Darts have been much more numerous than previously observed.

One night on the moth sheet, two groups of these insects were recorded for the first time. They are seed bugs, small insects with a big name, Remaudiereana inornata.

While checking the Snowy River Wattle these eggs were discovered, one batch intact, one batch hatched, identity is unknown at this time.

More eggs, this time on a Brittle Gum trunk, these were laid by a Sparshall’s moth, Trichiocercus sparshalli. The female covers the eggs with a thick mat of scales from her abdomen, probably for protection.

On a Yellow Gum trunk, a beetle larva.

A very large robber fly with an appropriate name, Neoaratus hercules.

And native bees are still hard at work, Lasioglossum calophyllae.

Some images will enlarge.

Perhaps better known as the Monarch or Wanderer Butterfly, native to North America, and reported breeding in Australia in 1871. It used to be fairly often seen in this locality, but for quite a number of years until this season has been conspicuous by its absence, despite growing its larval food plant. Over the last month we’ve had the odd sighting, and finally the chance to photograph it on an Abelia shrub. This shrub is very attractive to butterflies, and the Yellow-banded Dart has also been seen nectaring.

Click to enlarge.