HOME | DD

Description

Species Name: Common Brown

Species Latin Name: Heteronympha merope

Native To: Southern and Eeastern Australia

Photo Taken At: N/A

Body Size: 3.5cm (1.4 inches)

Wing Size: 5.5cm – 7cm (2.2 – 2.8 inches)

Egg Description: Small, pale yellow in colour

Mature Larvae/Caterpillar Length: 3.5cm (3.5 (1.4 inches)

Description:

The males and the females of this species are dimorphic in the pattern and colouration of their wings. The female is generally larger than the male.

The male will have wings that are orange with a dark brown colouration along the edges and a brown pattern throughout their wings.

The females wings pattern will differ significantly to the male and the base colour of their wings will appear more yellow than orange.

Both the male and female have singular dots/circles on each corner of their four wings, though these circles are more prominent and easier to see on the males.

Host Plants:

During the Larval/Caterpillar phase of their life the insects will feed on the following plants:

Purple False Brome

Also known As: Stiff Brome

Latin Name: Brachypodium distachyon

Reference Link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachypo…

Burmuda Grass

Also known as: Durva Grass, Ethana Grass, Dubo, Dog's Tooth Grass, Bahama Grass, Couch Grass, Indian Doab, Arugampul, Grama, Wiregrass, and Scutch Grass

Latin Name: Cynodon dactylon

Reference link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynodon_…

Panic Veldtgrass:

Latin Name: Ehrharta erecta

Reference Link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehrharta…

Coast Tussock-grass

Also known as: Blue Tussock-grass

Latin Name: Poa poiformis

Reference link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poa_poif…

Weeping Grass

Also known as: Weeping Rice Grass and Weeping Meadow Grass

Latin Name: Microlaena

Reference: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microlae…

Slender Tussock-grass

latin Name: Poa Tenera

Reference Links:

Yarra Ranges: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Pla…

Flora of Victoria: vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/…

Kangaroo Grass

Also known as: Red Grass, Red Oat Grass, Rooigrass

Latin Name: Themeda triandra

Reference link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Themeda_…

Blady Grass

Also known as: Cogongrass and Kunai Grass

Latin Name: Imperata cylindrica

Reference Links:

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperata…

Butterfly Conservation SA: butterflyconservationsa.net.au…

Thick-stem Tussock-grass

Latin Name: Poa crassicaudex

Reference link: butterflyconservationsa.net.au…

Behaviour:

These butterflies are most active during the spring and summer when there is plenty of sunshine and an abundance of flowers and plants to feed on. Mating generally occurs in the months of October to November, the males will die shortly after mating. The females will live on for 3 months or even longer as they wait for the hottest portion of summer to end so that they can lay their eggs. The eggs usually get laid in early march directly onto several native and introduced species of grass to ensure an immediate food supply for the larvae/caterpillars when they hatch.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterony…

Backyard Buddies: backyardbuddies.org.au/backyar…

Climate Watch: www.climatewatch.org.au/specie…

Australian National Botanic Gardens: www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/visiti…

Australian Museum: australian.museum/learn/animal…

Description

Species Name: Common Brown

Species Latin Name: Heteronympha merope

Native To: Southern and Eeastern Australia

Photo Taken At: N/A

Body Size: 3.5cm (1.4 inches)

Wing Size: 5.5cm – 7cm (2.2 – 2.8 inches)

Egg Description: Small, pale yellow in colour

Mature Larvae/Caterpillar Length: 3.5cm (3.5 (1.4 inches)

Description:

The males and the females of this species are dimorphic in the pattern and colouration of their wings. The female is generally larger than the male.

The male will have wings that are orange with a dark brown colouration along the edges and a brown pattern throughout their wings.

The females wings pattern will differ significantly to the male and the base colour of their wings will appear more yellow than orange.

Both the male and female have singular dots/circles on each corner of their four wings, though these circles are more prominent and easier to see on the males.

Host Plants:

During the Larval/Caterpillar phase of their life the insects will feed on the following plants:

Purple False Brome

Also known As: Stiff Brome

Latin Name: Brachypodium distachyon

Reference Link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachypo…

Burmuda Grass

Also known as: Durva Grass, Ethana Grass, Dubo, Dog's Tooth Grass, Bahama Grass, Couch Grass, Indian Doab, Arugampul, Grama, Wiregrass, and Scutch Grass

Latin Name: Cynodon dactylon

Reference link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynodon_…

Panic Veldtgrass:

Latin Name: Ehrharta erecta

Reference Link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehrharta…

Coast Tussock-grass

Also known as: Blue Tussock-grass

Latin Name: Poa poiformis

Reference link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poa_poif…

Weeping Grass

Also known as: Weeping Rice Grass and Weeping Meadow Grass

Latin Name: Microlaena

Reference: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microlae…

Slender Tussock-grass

latin Name: Poa Tenera

Reference Links:

Yarra Ranges: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Pla…

Flora of Victoria: vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/…

Kangaroo Grass

Also known as: Red Grass, Red Oat Grass, Rooigrass

Latin Name: Themeda triandra

Reference link: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Themeda_…

Blady Grass

Also known as: Cogongrass and Kunai Grass

Latin Name: Imperata cylindrica

Reference Links:

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperata…

Butterfly Conservation SA: butterflyconservationsa.net.au…

Thick-stem Tussock-grass

Latin Name: Poa crassicaudex

Reference link: butterflyconservationsa.net.au…

Behaviour:

These butterflies are most active during the spring and summer when there is plenty of sunshine and an abundance of flowers and plants to feed on. Mating generally occurs in the months of October to November, the males will die shortly after mating. The females will live on for 3 months or even longer as they wait for the hottest portion of summer to end so that they can lay their eggs. The eggs usually get laid in early march directly onto several native and introduced species of grass to ensure an immediate food supply for the larvae/caterpillars when they hatch.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heterony…

Backyard Buddies: backyardbuddies.org.au/backyar…

Climate Watch: www.climatewatch.org.au/specie…

Australian National Botanic Gardens: www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/visiti…

Australian Museum: australian.museum/learn/animal…