Tisiphone abeona (Sword-grass Brown)

Tisiphone abeona abeona
Tisiphone abeona morrisi
Tisiphone abeona regalis
Tisiphone abeona aurelia

Other Common Names

Varied Sword-grass Brown, Large Wood Brown, Gahnia Butterfly

Notes

The first one of these butterflies I saw was in Sydney’s Georges River National Park, by the lagoon. I saw it flying, and it really was a very attractive sight. It settled on some tall grass, which I presume was swordgrass, but I was only able to get one photo of it.

In October 2004 I saw a couple of them in the Ingleburn Reserve. One of them was hanging around the junction between two paths, disputing the area with a male Heteronympha merope. The butterfly periodically landed on the ground or on very low shrubs; I had difficulty getting close to it, but eventually was able to get a few photos.

When I went to Lawson in the Blue Mountains, in late November 2004, I saw large numbers of these butterflies. Seeing them is one thing, but photographing them is a completely different matter. The only specimen that was willing to land for long enough for me to take any pictures was a really worn individual, who looked just about on its last legs (or wings), and needed to rest most of the time.

I usually see these butterflies when I go to the Blue Mountains. They can show up almost anywhere there, though hilltops are the most reliable sites for them. They’re not easy subjects for photography as they usually stay on the wing and don’t settle often. The best time for photos is on an overcast day; the Sword-grass Browns will still be out and about but they’re much less active, and in dull weather (but not too dull) they often sit with the wings wide open to catch what UV they can get.  

As I found from experience, if this butterfly is sitting with its wings open it’s best if you not to try to use a flash, as it will almost guarantee that your subject will take off and the shot will be useless. When sitting with their wings closed they seem to be much less fussy about the flash.

In late January 2010 I was fortunate enough to see subspecies regalis at Barrington Tops. Unfortunately, they were not cooperating. They kept on flying away as I approached, and even when I did get close enough to take a photo they always jumped as the flash went off. And I had to use the flash, as it was very overcast. 

I also got a shot of T. a. morrisi  in December 2013 at the top of Mount Caromba near Coffs Harbour. Unfortunately it only shows the underside of the wings, as the upperside is so different from the Sydney specimens it took me a couple of moments to realise what species I was watching.

And finally, so far anyway, I took a couple of photos of T.a. aurelia on the hilltop at Shoal Bay. Unfortunately at the time I didn’t realise they were a different subspecies, or I would have made more of an effort. Next time I go back there I’ll have to see…

Sightings

Georges River National Park – March 2004
Ingleburn Reserve – October, November 2004
Lawson, Blue Mountains – November 2004 and lots of other times
Springwood, Blue Mountains – December 2004, February 2005

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