Neolucia agricola (Fringed Heath-blue)
11/10/2015
Glenbrook
29/09/2013
Glenbrook
26/09/2009
Glenbrook
20/09/2009
Glenbrook
20/09/2009
Glenbrook
20/09/2009
Glenbrook
26/11/2022
Blackheath
20/09/2009
Glenbrook
12/10/2008
Glenbrook
27/09/2008
Kurnell
27/09/2008
Kurnell
21/09/2008
Glenbrook
14/10/2007
Ingleburn
14/10/2007
Ingleburn
14/10/2004
East Hills
28/10/2007
Hazelbrook
28/10/2007
Hazelbrook
24/09/2005
Glenbrook
24/09/2005
Glenbrook
30/10/2004
Ingleburn
14/10/2004
East Hills
14/10/2004
East Hills
14/10/2004
East Hills
14/10/2004
East Hills
14/10/2004
East Hills
12/11/2017
Stirling Ranges, WA
03/11/2016
Port Kennedy, WA
26/10/2008
Lesmurdie, WA
26/10/2008
Lesmurdie, WA
27/10/2008
Lesmurdie, WA
27/10/2008
Lesmurdie, WA
27/10/2008
Lesmurdie, WA
31/10/2008
Koondoola, WA
31/10/2008
Koondoola, WA
31/10/2008
Koondoola, WA
22/10/2022
Koondoola WA
22/10/2022
Koondoola WA
22/10/2022
Koondoola WA
22/10/2022
Koondoola WA
22/10/2022
Koondoola WA
Notes
A small species, and they’re really hard to follow in flight owing to their unspectacular brown colour. The easiest way to spot them tends to be when they get involved in a territorial dispute, as they are a bit bolshy and like to chase other butterflies off. They’re generally hard to approach, which makes it a bit difficult to get photos. I continually find that just as I’m getting ready to take a picture, the subject flies off. Plenty of patience is required, and a few well-chosen expletives come in handy as well.
I can’t help wondering why their common name includes the word “Blue”, when there isn’t the slightest hint of blue about them at all.
I first found this species in bushland close to East Hills. I subsequently found it in the reserve at Ingleburn, though only in one small area (so far), and not as many specimens as at East Hills. They’re easier to find in the Blue Mountains, both at lower altitudes (e.g. Glenbrook) and hilltopping in the higher areas such as Blackheath and Bell, where worn specimens sometimes do a convincing impersonation of Acrodipsas myrmecophila in flight.