Hypolycaena phorbas (Black-spotted Flash)
27/04/2021
Cairns
27/04/2021
Cairns
27/04/2021
Cairns
27/04/2021
Cairns
22/04/2023
Cairns
22/04/2023
Cairns
22/04/2023
Cairns
22/04/2023
Cairns
06/04/2024
Buffalo Creek, Darwin
08/04/2024
Buffalo Creek, Darwin
06/04/2024
Buffalo Creek, Darwin
07/04/2024
Robin Falls, NT
22/04/2023
Cairns
25/03/2016
Cairns
22/04/2023
Cairns
25/03/2016
Cairns
17/06/2022
Trinity Park, Cairns
27/04/2021
Cairns
16/11/2013
Iron Range
25/03/2016
Cairns
25/03/2016
Cairns
29/03/2016
Cairns
29/12/2008
Cairns
29/03/2016
Cairns
25/04/2011
Edmonton, Cairns
10/09/2012
Cairns
24/04/2011
Cairns
29/05/2010
Cairns
23/04/2011
Trinity Park
23/04/2011
Trinity Park
24/04/2011
Cairns
24/04/2011
Cairns
29/12/2008
Cairns
29/05/2010
Cairns
29/05/2010
Cairns
Other Common Name
Common Tit
Notes
On my first Cairns trip, I photographed a female at the edge of a clearing in the rainforest near Cairns. The butterfly was perching on a low-growing plant; when disturbed she flew off only to return a few minutes later. I only had a couple more sightings that time, though on my second Cairns trip I saw more specimens; not in great numbers, but I did see them every day. One of them was definitely a male – I found him quite early in the morning feeding on flowers. I went past the same spot in the afternoon and he was still there.
I see these butterflies on every Cairns visit, with it being unusual for me not to see at least one or two each day. Sometimes they can be common around the edges oif mangroves in suburban areas, as was the case in April 2021.
Sightings
Cairns – Every visit
Iron Range – November 2013
Townsville – December 2017
Magnetic Island – December 2017
Darwin – April 2024