Jalmenus eubulus (Pale Imperial Hairstreak)
09/04/2011
Jondaryan, QLD
09/04/2011
Jondaryan, QLD
09/04/2011
Jondaryan, QLD
09/04/2011
Jondaryan, QLD
09/04/2011
Jondaryan, QLD
09/04/2011
Jondaryan, QLD
09/04/2011
Jondaryan, QLD
09/04/2011
Jondaryan, QLD
09/04/2011
Jondaryan, QLD
09/04/2011
Jondaryan, QLD
Synonyms
This butterfly was previously classified as Jalmenus evagoras eubulus, a subspecies of the Imperial Hairstreak, but was elevated to species status.
Other Common Name
Pale Imperial Blue
Notes
It was a real treat to see this species at Jondaryan in Queensland. I was wondering how similar it would be to J. evagoras, since this species was previously listed as a subspecies of evagoras. From what I saw, the underside looks similar, though less strongly marked than evagoras whilst the upperside looks almost a metallic white colour when the butterfly is flying in the sunshine. The butterflies behaved differently too; instead of a number of adults hanging around one or two host shrubs, they were flying around amongst the trees, settling rarely and usually not for long. They also only appeared to lay a small number of eggs on any one host plant, as there were far fewer larvae and pupae visible than I’d have expected to see with evagoras.
Sightings
Jondaryan, Qld – April 2011
Links
- The Complete Field Guide to Australian Butterflies (2nd edition) by Michael F. Braby
- Atlas of Living Australia
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility
- Wikipedia
- iNaturalist
- NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
- Taxonomy, ecology, genetics and conservation status of the pale imperial hairstreak (Jalmenus eubulus) (Lepidoptera : Lycaenidae): a threatened butterfly from the Brigalow Belt, Australia by Rod Eastwood , Michael F. Braby, Daniel J. Schmidt and Jane M. Hughes
- A Survey of the Pale Imperial Hairstreak Butterfly Jalmenus eubulus in New South Wales by Robert Taylor