SPECIES Danaus plexippus + Graphium agamemnon + Graphium sarpedon
ORIGIN Australasia/ Americas
FRAME 20x20xD5cm Made from recycled products.
DESCRIPTION
Danaus plexippus - Commonly known as the Monarch or Wanderer butterfly. This is one of our best-known butterflies often seen soaring around our gardens.
The beautiful Danaus plexippus caterpillar with its striped / ringed cream and black colouring can be seen feeding on plants from the poisonous Australian Milkweed family. In summertime three weeks after pupating on the leaf of its food plant the adult emerges. Its pupa is a lovely shade of green banded by shiny gold dots. The adult butterfly is a bright burnt orange colour highlighted with black and white spots and black veins. These bright colours serve to ward off potential predators whilst the paler underside serves as great camouflage whilst resting against tree bark. A small dot on a vein in the dorsal wings denotes a male.
This species was first reported in the USA in the early 1800’s. In winter there are mass migrations south to warmer areas notably in a specific mountain zone of Mexico. There they mass on specific trees and stay in a state of dormancy until the temperature changes.
It can be found all over Europe, Nth America, PNG, NZ and Australia and South America.
Available in single BADP
Graphium sarpedon - AKA The Blue Triangle. It has an attractive blue band on upper and lower wings. Found from the tip of Queensland through to the mid NSW coast this common butterfly can be seen in most gardens where the introduced Camphor laurel grows. It is named after Sarpedon the King of Lycia from Ancient Greek Mythology
Available in single BAGS
Graphium agamemnon - AKA The Green Spotted Triangle. Bright green dots almost cover this stunning butterfly. It is common in rainforest and gardens in the eastern tropics in far north Qld from Townsville north.
Available in single BAGA
COMES IN RECYCLED CARDBOARD GIFT BOX
