Trapezites waterhousei (Laterite Ochre)

Other Common Names

Mottled Ochre, Waterhouse’s Skipper

Notes

To my mind this is a truly stunning butterfly, and it’s fair to say I’ve lusted over this species ever since I first saw Geoff Walker’s photos on his now defunct Australian Butterflies Photographed website.  It was the Number One target for my 2016 WA trip, jointly with Ogyris petrina, so fortunately it was still on the wing despite it being right near the end of its usual flight season.

As expected, it was found on and around a laterite outcrop near Southern Cross. The species is restricted to a small number of sites like the one I visited, each isolated from the others, so it’s in a precarious position.

Sightings

Southern Cross, WA – October 2016

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