Richmond Birdwing Butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) Life history & Host Vine Richard Bull Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network – Wildlife Queensland committee member & Gold Coast/Tamborine Mt Area Rep birdwing@wildlife.org.au

General Biology & Distribution Australia’s 2nd largest butterfly - male 140mm, female 160mm wing span (slightly smaller than the Cairns Birdwing) Distribution recorded from Maryborough to Grafton Present distribution reduced to fragmented colonies caused by habitat loss Range: From coast to 1200m (Lamington Plateau) & only east of Dividing Range Butterflies occur from August to May Generally 3 generations per year

General Biology & Distribution Adult (butterfly) food is nectar from flowering trees, shrubs and plants Larvae (caterpillars) feed exclusively on 2 native vines, Pararistolochia praevenosa (lowland) & P. laheyana (above 600m) Females can fly at least 30km Males tend to remain in general area of origin, but both sexes are known to mass migrate

Egg – Larva – Pupa - Adult LIFE CYCLE Adult Male Female Pupa 4-STAGE LIFE CYCLE Egg – Larva – Pupa - Adult Egg laid under leaf Larva Mature larva prepares for pupation

ADULT Dorsal aspect MALE FEMALE Up to 140mm wing span

ADULT Ventral aspect MALE FEMALE

2017-18 Season was probably the best for many years – RB’s have been numerous at Buderim/Glasshouse Mts, Tamborine Mountain, Tallebudgera, Lamington Plateau and Northern NSW During February 2018, large numbers were recorded feeding on flowering shrubs at Talebudgera, and of great importance, several sightings at Indooroopilly and Redland Bay.

After mating, the female butterfly lays usually one egg on the underside of tender young RB vine leaves. On hatching, the tiny larva eats the egg shell, then the leaves, going through 5 skin moults to reach maturity LARVA

The Pre-pupa The mature larva prepares for a remarkable transformation to the chrysalis or pupa Weaving the silk loop It skilfully weaves a silk loop attached to the leaf and around its body, then waits for several days as internal cells undergo a complete reorganization.

THE PUPA The larval skin is shed to expose a delicate green pupa or chrysalis firmly attached to the leaf by a silk pad to the last body segment and the silk loop around the thorax.

METAMORPHOSIS TO ADULT The pupa stage lasts about 28 days in summer and from April to September in winter. Darkening of the pupa indicates it is ready for the adult to emerge. The skin splits along the dorsal side and the soft adult squeezes out. Eclosion imminent +30 seconds

The wings are pumped to full size in a few minutes, but are soft and delicate. The butterfly must hang down to allow the wings to harden without creases or it will be unable to fly. +9 minutes +1.5 hours

Mating may occur soon after emergence and the female will then begin laying eggs to start a new life cycle

FOOD PLANTS Larvae of the Richmond birdwing are dependent only on two native rainforest vines: Pararistolochia praevenosa and P. laheyana P. Praevenosa – lowland species P. Laheyana – upland species >600m

P.praevenosa seed capsules Large seed capsules contain 70-90 seeds each. They are slow to germinate, often taking 2-3 months to emerge.

GROWTH FORM Both species do not smother support trees GROWTH FORM Both species do not smother support trees. They eventually reach the forest canopy and are difficult to spot in dense rainforest.

Old growth vines several 100yrs old form dense thickets in rain forest when they reach the canopy and are vital reservoirs of birdwing populations on Tamborine Mt escarpments Old growth vines in Palm Grove NP on Tamborine Mt

Planting location Important Keep 1-1.5m away from base of BIG trees. Long, slender bamboo poles reaching overhead branches are ideal for vines to climb up. Twine or string is OK for smaller trees. Choose evergreen native tree species and plant where the vine gets shade. Good soil and moisture important.

A major threat to recovery is Dutchman’s pipe vine (Aristolochia elegans)

Dutchman’s pipe is a S. American import and has been sold by nurseries as an ornamental. It is very vigorous and has escaped into bush and forested areas within the Richmond birdwing’s range assuming weed status. Being closely related to our birdwing vines, female birdwing butterflies are attracted to lay eggs on the leaves which poison the hatching larvae. Nurseries must cease selling it and all vines found should be destroyed.

A large infestation of DP was found on Seqwater land near the east end of the Hinze dam wall in March 2016 where a colony of Richmond birdwings was also present. Females were laying eggs on the DP vine leaves threatening the butterfly colony.

Seqwater responded immediately and contractors commenced clearing DP vines from the forested area and began planting 200+ Richmond birdwing vines. In 2018 the young vines had grown large enough to support RB larvae BEFORE AFTER

WITH YOUR HELP WE WILL SAVE THIS MAGNIFICENT BUTTERFLY Plant vines – back yards and corridors Plant nectar producing shrubs & trees Eradicate Dutchman’s pipe vine