Timoconia flammeata (Bright Shield-skipper)

Other Common Names

Shield Skipper

Synonyms

This butterfly was formerly known as Signeta flammeata; in 2022 Signeta was moved into the genus Toxidia.

Notes

I first found this species in the hills above Lithgow. When properly settled, I found the butterfly easy enough to approach, but it disturbed it flew off so quickly it was hard to follow the flight. Fortunately, it appears to be one of those territorial species, so it kept on returning to the same favoured perches.

The next time I found this species was on a hilltop near Lawson. I found this male sitting on the ground, and he seemed to like his spot on the ground very much. If disturbed, he would slowly fly around and settle in almost the exact same place.

I mostly see these butterflies in the second half of the summer and early autumn. Males are quite easy to find on hilltops in the higher parts of the Blue Mountains, though they have an annoying habit of landing on very flimsy grass stalks, making them difficult to photograph as the weight of the butterfly causes the grass stalk to swing about.

Sightings

Lithgow – February 2005
Lawson – March 2005
Blackheath – January 2008, January 2009
Jenolan – February 2008
Wentworth Falls – February 2009
Barrington Tops National Park – January 2010

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