Telicota anisodesma (Southern Large Darter)

Other Common Names

Large Darter

Notes

I first saw a female from the steps leading down from a small carpark going down to Kings Beach, near Broken Head. I was very fortunate, as I had to make my way through tangled vines etc to get close enough for photos, and she remained there despite the fact that I could not avoid disturbing the plant on which she sat. She sometimes jumped when the flash went off, but she did allow me to get shots from both sides, plus some fleeting views of her upperside when she jumped. I did see a male as well, but he had disappeared by the time I got close to his perch.

Several years later I stumbled upon a number of these butterflies next to the coast at Killcare on the NSW Central Coast. I was looking for the mythical Hypochrysops byzos, which as usual did not appear, but being able to get shots of this species was a decent consolation prize.

Sightings

Broken Head – December 2013
Killcare, NSW Central Coast – March 2021

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