Wildlife and flora in the Outback
In central Australia we saw large numbers of birds of prey -largely due to the amount of road kill. Some of the eagles had trouble taking off when we approached.
Among the desert flora we witnessed were these little weeto /tumbleweed thingies. Any identification would be greatly appreciated.
The most intriguing discovery we made on our travels near Ayers Rock were these “balls” (as we named them with much occassion). A ranger later informed us that the seeds of these Paddy Melons formed part of the organic packing in the saddles of Asian traders who rode camels throughout central Australia. Originally from Afghanistan, these seeds were eventually released when the saddles rotted and flourished in the arid conditions of the outback. Camels eat them but humans shouldn’t. The ranger at Yulara warned me that these melons are poisonous.
In between the camels and kangaroos, we came upon this little butterfly hanging around a puddle at King’s Canyon. Once again, if you know what sort of butterfly this is, please leave a comment at the bottom of the page.
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IN Google found this similar variety
Tirumala hamata hamata (W.S. Macleay) (Blue Tiger or Blue Wanderer)
in a site headlined:
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN BUTTERFLIES
WHAT BUTTERFLY IS THAT ?
I have copied its picture to you per e-mail as couldn’t seem to enter it here…
no, can’t paste…
but here is more info from another site:
NYMPHALIDAE of Australia
Daniaids, Browns, Fritillaries, and Nymphs.
Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley
(updated 5 July 2006)
(pic being sent you)
Tirumala hamata ( W.S.Macleay, 1826)
(one synonym : Danaus australis)
Blue Tiger
DANAINAE, NYMPHALIDAE
Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley
(updated 23 August 2004)
(Photo: courtesy of Butterfly Encounters)
The Caterpillars are grey, with black bands between segments, and orange lateral lines. The head is black with white markings. The Caterpillars have a pair long filaments on both the thorax and the last abdominal segment. They feed on various jungle vines from the family ASCLEPIADACEAE including :
Mangrove Milkweed ( Cynanchum carnosum ),
Cynanchum leptolepis,
Heterostemma acuminatum,
Hairy Silkpod ( Marsdenia velutina ), and
Cork Vine ( Secamone elliptica ).
(Photo: courtesy of Butterfly Encounters)
The pupa is green with 10 spots that are initially gold, but later turn to silver.
The wings of the adult butterflies are black with blue spots. They have a wingspan of about 7 cms. The butterflies may sometimes be seen scratching the leaves of plants such as:
Blue Heliotrope ( Heliotropium amplexicaule ), and
Monkey Rope Vine ( Parsonia straminea ).
They appear to suck chemicals from the plants, even wetting dead leaves and then sucking up the moisture.
Male and Female pair
(Photo: courtesy of David Johnston)
The eggs are bullet shaped and pale yellow. They are laid singly on young shoots of a foodplant.
The species is found over most of tropical south-east Asia, from Sri Lanka across to the Philippines, including the north and east of Australia, reaching as far as Victoria. The butterflies have been observed to survive longer than five months. In Australia, the butterflies perform mass migrations to the south in some years, making a delightful spectacle.
Second identification
The tumbleweed thingy looks like A. Scargill’s hairstyle lost in the desert…
Definitely a Syrup as the Londoners would say, or toupee if you prefer! You should have collected several for the follically challenged, eg. Dandy Nicholls, Yule Brenner, Kojak etc etc etc…
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