It was a delight to recently read this definitive work on the Solomon Islands butterflies, pa... more It was a delight to recently read this definitive work on the Solomon Islands butterflies, particularly given my interest in the Pacific region. The birdwing illustrations are eye-catching, and I think most ‘butterfliers’ delight at seeing these awe-inspiring creatures in the wild. I, like the author, have had the opportunity to see a number of birdwing taxa during travels in the Asia-Pacific region. In Guadalcanal, I gazed upon both sexes of the localised blue birdwing, Ornithoptera priamus urvillianus as they fed at red hibiscus in village gardens, and patrolled and perched beneath plantation canopy during the heat of the afternoon. In late afternoon, adjacent forest margins, their massive forms could be seen in silhouette, souring above the canopy and feeding amidst treetop blossoms.
Review(s) of: Butterflies of the Solomon Islands: Systematics and Biogeography, by John Tennent, Publisher: Storm Entomological Publications, Dereham, UK, 2002, 413 pages 84 plates, ISBN 0954204506, RRP c. $280.00.
Butterfly ‘twitching’ has not obsessed our ranks as it has many bird watchers in Australia, with ... more Butterfly ‘twitching’ has not obsessed our ranks as it has many bird watchers in Australia, with ambitions to see every bird kind within a given period. I have encountered at least 315 of the 397 butterfly species within the Australian faunal subregion, and still look forward to seeing and photographing live, those intriguing Torres Strait forms magnificently illustrated in this work. This impressive twin tome may captivate some in their strive to see all political Australia’s 414 species, and for others invigorate them to ‘get back out there’ observing and discovering life’s secrets. In an era of conservation, the beautiful plates can substitute for a collection for some, but many specimens from remote areas are still needed to define local forms and delineate subspecies’ distributions. And, other species still await recognition. Several reviews or discussions of this work have already appeared (e.g. Hancock, 2001; Lees, 2001; Samson, 2001; Atkins, 2002; Hawkeswood, 2003), each voicing unique opinions, dependent on the reviewer’s focus speciality. My review avoids reiteration and is best read in conjunction with the earlier ones for completeness. The abbreviations ‘DD91’ and ‘CW81’ are used for Dunn & Dunn (1991) and Common & Waterhouse (1981) respectively.
The Tawny Coster, Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is reported for th... more The Tawny Coster, Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is reported for the first time from the Bowen region, in northern Queensland. This expansion extends the known range some 157 km southeast from Townsville.
The Tawny Coster, Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is reported for th... more The Tawny Coster, Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is reported for the first time from the suburban region of Townville, in northern Queensland. This expansion through the Townsville region is likely to have come from populations in the Wet Tropics to the north, or from the northwest through the inland, or via both directions.
A snapshot survey of a small reserve situated between the adjoining suburbs of Lapstone and Glenb... more A snapshot survey of a small reserve situated between the adjoining suburbs of Lapstone and Glenbrook in the Lower Blue Mountains, NSW, provided a shortlist of 17 butterflies – which ranked as 50% of the species known to occur in that small area from this and earlier visits. A number of nectar sources are reported for various species, some of which may be newly reported. Notes on behaviour of selected species are given. A discussion of butterfly trapping behavior by the Asclepiad vine Araujia sericifera is given, adding another incident to the list of ill-fated insects reported by others ; those records from Australia are reviewed. Introduction In December 2009 the authors teamed up for some casual bushwalking with the intent of learning a little more about the foraging habits of particular butterflies in the Sydney region. The secondary author, who had earlier published details of butterfly behaviour in the lower Blue Mountains, NSW (Hawkeswood 1980), followed by a species inventory with ecological notes (Hawkeswood 1981), and who is familiar with the local flora, suggested a follow-up survey in the Glenbrook area. This account provides a list of the butterflies seen during our snapshot survey, and records foraging activity at flowers as the focus of the species accounts. All 17 species seen are well known from the Sydney bioregion, an area extending from the Hawkesbury River southward to the Illawarra district, which has been surveyed historically (Nikitin 1964). We had hoped to see the Rock Ringlet, Hypo-cysta euphemia, a rather localised and intriguing satyrine that favours sandstone cliffs and escarp-ments in the Blue Mountains and Sydney Basin, for which no host plants have been identified with certainty. Our search about rocky areas and ledges where adults might be lingering, however, found no evidence of it, and it had not been seen on previous visits by the second author. The species may be present there as a rare event in seasons or years more suited to its range expansion from elsewhere in the broader region. A number of other localised species were seen and we noted too that the rock ledges, which H. euphemia would haunt if resident, served as perch sites and roosting areas for a couple of satyrines during the rising heat of late morning. Nikitin (1964, 1971) recorded 72 species for the Sydney Bioregion across all seasons, and other workers have reported additional species as incidental records over the years since. Our brief survey suggests that the fauna of that Glenbrook-Lapstone reserve may be limited by regional comparison, or at least was during that particular month in 2009. No doubt, across seasons and years – local sampling has not been done in autumn, winter, or spring – many other butterflies would be present regularly or intermittently as larval host plants boom and bust. The spring and early summer of 2009 was not a favourable one for butterflies and adults of various species were in low to moderate numbers, many being worn or aged on that visit.
This paper lists ten locations for the Plumbago Blue, Leptotes plinius (Fabricius) in inland west... more This paper lists ten locations for the Plumbago Blue, Leptotes plinius (Fabricius) in inland western Queensland and inland New South Wales. All of these populations are likely to be due to human-assisted rather than natural dispersal because they are disjunct from the main distribution of this butterfly in eastern Australia.
New and interesting distribution records and a list of type specimens are recorded from the J.C. ... more New and interesting distribution records and a list of type specimens are recorded from the J.C. Le Souef butterfly collection.
The ‘lived-experience’ of a wasp sting in Samoa, arguably by the vespid, Polistes olivaceus (DeGe... more The ‘lived-experience’ of a wasp sting in Samoa, arguably by the vespid, Polistes olivaceus (DeGeer) is described. It is a phenomenological anecdotal account based on a self-reported single, convenience observation, described in popular literary style for the leisure reading (largely because of identification limitations) of our common-interest community. The painful polistine sting symptomatology is compared and contrasted with a sequential comorbid spider bite (presumably that of a white-tailed spider, Lampona cylindrata) received soon after in Victoria, Australia. The polistine wasp’s toxin exceeded the spider venom in perceived pain. However, the wasp sting paled in terms of longitudinal dermal insult significance when compared with the necrosis that resulted either from the spider’s toxin, a possible fang-introduced infection, or an inappropriate immune response.
New and interesting spatial and temporal distribution records are provided for twenty-one (21) ea... more New and interesting spatial and temporal distribution records are provided for twenty-one (21) eastern Australian butterflies. These records cover the region from the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia to Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. Reasons for range expansions or apparent new distributions are varied. In some cases, they may be due to lack of survey in the regions concerned, many being remote areas. In other instances, an availability of hosts as garden cultivars has enabled colonisation far beyond the natural ranges of some species. Importantly, in this era of environmental concern, one butterfly may have potential bioclimatic usefulness. In south-eastern Australia, the Plumbago Blue, Leptotes plinius might be able to act as a climatic marker, potentially capable of signalling future climate changes linked to projected global warming. I recommend that studies commence to determine the cool temperature sensitivities and breeding constraints of its juvenile stages. I also urge that collation of baseline distribution data in the southern part of its range begin, ideally before the closure of this decade. Repeated surveys are essential to clarify its range limits with exactness and confirm areas of absence in southern New South Wales.
A German, Hermann Elgner resided at Cape York and on several islands in Torres Strait at the turn... more A German, Hermann Elgner resided at Cape York and on several islands in Torres Strait at the turn of the Twentieth century. He collected butterflies and other insect on a regular basis, his efforts adding new species to the list of Australian fauna. His Australian collections now form an essential and historic baseline for that region, one upon which contemporary workers have only recently begun to build. This paper lists Elgner’s geographical movements from 1900-1911 as a guide for researchers examining his material, now part of several Australian museums’ holdings. It refines and expands upon the earlier chronology suggested by Moulds (1977). Using a thematic sample (n=1407 records labelled with Elgner’s name), the analysis of his collecting detected only eleven records conflicting with proposed movements. Yet, this proportion as an estimate of Elgner’s data accuracy hinges consequentially on that of the database from which the data sample came. With elimination of database process and vicarious contaminations (creative of 64% of these eleven records), an estimate of 99.7% was obtained as a measure of Elgner’s labelling accuracy. Statistically, this error estimate, at merely 0.3 percent, upholds Elgner’s veraciousness and labelling validity as exemplary – a model for perfection.
Near Cooktown on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, larvae of Jalmenus eichhorni Staudinger are rep... more Near Cooktown on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, larvae of Jalmenus eichhorni Staudinger are reported being attended by different ants at night to those in the daytime on the same individual plants. A meat ant, Iridomyrmex sanguineus attended larvae throughout the day and parts of the night, but at night, Camponotus confusus also tended them on several wattles and in company with I. pallidus on one small wattle. This remarkable temporal pattern of attendance repeated the following year suggesting it is routine behaviour, rather than a rare event or a unique instance of novel attendance. Field Notes On 10 January 2001, at 2km SE (by road) of Isabella Falls Qld, I searched roadside Acacia woodland at night using floodlights, in order to see if there might be any larvae of Jalmenus eichhorni Staudinger present. The site selected was about 1km from where, years earlier, I had found larvae on a visit to Cooktown in the dry season (Dunn 1994). During the day on that first encounter in July 1994, the northern meat ant, Iridomyrmex sanguineus attended all larvae found on foliage near the top of several broad-leafed wattles, variably 1-2m in height. This ant was a similar but visibly different species to the southern I. purpureus (Dunn 1994), which commonly attends juveniles of a different, but related butterfly, J. ictinus, in southern Queensland (Eastwood & Fraser 1999). Braby (2000) later listed I. sanguineus along with two other Iridomyrmex species (one undetermined to species) as attendant ants, no doubt observed during the daytime when most collectors seek the juveniles. J. eichhorni is widespread on Cape York Peninsula (Braby 2000) and locally common near Isabella Falls, so on my return visit in 2001, it was not long before I found larvae. They were in small numbers on several wattles within close proximity of each other, consistent with the localised habits of the species. It did not matter that it was after dark, as I reasoned that the larvae were unlikely to seek shelter at night. However, given that I. sanguineus is largely diurnally active, I wondered whether attendance might be relatively sparse after sunset and perhaps even absent very late at night. In this regard, I closely examined the circumstances of the first two larvae and a pupa I found. All were situated about 1.8m metres above ground, near the top of a broad-leafed wattle species prolific in the area. Not surprisingly northern meat ants (I. sanguineus) were still tending them at 2200h EST, although the sun had set at 1945h EST. These wattles appeared to be the same species as those utilised by the larvae in 1994 and so I quickly recognised them as potential food plants. There were no flowers on the hosts, but staff at the DPI at Mareeba later, in 2002, identified them from stems and phyllodes as Acacia leptocarpa. T o t h i s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n wa s a d d e d t h e q u a l i f i e r , " i f t h i s s p e c i e s o c c u r s i n t h e a r e a " o r , i f i t d o e s n o t , t h e n a d i f f e r e n t i a l i d e n t i f i c a t i o n a p p l i e d , a s " s e e mi n g l y Acacia aulacocarpa. " J. eichhorni utilises four wattle species, A. leptocarpa being one of these (Braby 2000). It is likely that A. leptocarpa is a correct identification for my host plants in this instance, and which I take as factual in absence of further eliminative data, but they may utilise A. aulacocarpa as well.
Abstract. Observations are provided
on several females of Heteronympha
mirifica (Butler, 1866) (L... more Abstract. Observations are provided on several females of Heteronympha mirifica (Butler, 1866) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) feeding on a small sap flow from an injury in the trunk of a young Eucalyptus grandis (Myrtaceae) in the Wollemi National Park, northwestern Sydney, New South Wales during late March 2009. Available published and unpublished records of Australian Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae feeding from sap flow are reviewed and compared. Several behavioural strategies associated with sap feeding are suggested. Astonishing as it would seem, this may be the first record of adult foraging for this species.
Zusammenfassung. Die Weibchen von Heteronympha mirifica (Butler, 1866) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) konnten mehrfach an einem kleinen Saftstrom einer Verletzung an der Rinde eines jungen Eucalyptus grandis (Myrtaceae) im Wollemi National Park, Nordwest-Sydney, New South Wales in späten März 2009 saftsaugend beobachtet werden. Es handelt sich um den Erstnachweis für diese Schmetterlingsart am Saftfluss. Verfügbare publizierte und unpublizierte Nachweise australischer Nymphalidae und Lycaenidae die ebenfalls an Saftflüssen beobachtet wurden, werden mitgeteilt.
Hawkeswood, T.J., Dunn, K.L. & Sommung, B. (2016). Acanthus ilicifolius L. (Acanthaceae), a new l... more Hawkeswood, T.J., Dunn, K.L. & Sommung, B. (2016). Acanthus ilicifolius L. (Acanthaceae), a new larval host plant for Hypolycaena erylus himavantus Fruhstorfer, 1912 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) from Thailand, with a review on larval host plants of H. erylus and its weaver ant association. Calodema, 416: 1-8. Abstract: The mangrove, Acanthus ilicifolius L. (Acanthaceae) is recorded as a new larval host plant for the tropical butterfly Hypolycaena erylus himavantus Fruhstorfer, 1912 in Thailand. Hypolycaeana erylus (Godart, 1824), which is clearly polyphagous, is now known to utilize 25 hosts from 17 different plant families. The larvae of this species at the study site appeared to have an obligate myrmecophilous relationship with the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina, as larvae were heavily attended by the ant and no last instar larvae appeared to be unattended. This would appear to be (a) the first record of H. eryclus himavantus feeding as larvae on Acanthus ilicifolius, (b) the first record of a host plant in Thailand for this butterfly species and (c) the first butterfly larvae recorded feeding on foliage of Acanthus ilicifolius. A review of known larval host plants for this thecline butterfly is provided as well as a short discussion of weaver ant association with the larvae of this lycaenid.
Hawkeswood, T.J., Dunn, K.L. & Sommung, B. (2016). Papilio demoleus malayanus Wallace, 1865 (Lepi... more Hawkeswood, T.J., Dunn, K.L. & Sommung, B. (2016). Papilio demoleus malayanus Wallace, 1865 (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) feeding on fresh dung of Canis familiaris L. (Mammalia: Canidae) in Thailand, with some extra records of butterflies feeding on mammalian dung in southeast Asia. Calodema, 412: 1-5. Abstract: The tropical butterfly, Papilio demoleus malayanus Wallace, 1865 (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) is newly recorded feeding on fresh dung of Canis familiaris L. (Mammalia: Canidae) in Thailand. There appear to be few accounts of butterflies feeding at mammalian dung in Asia, although it is likely that various species within at least three butterfly families participate opportunistically.
Results of a 13-day field survey of butterflies in the Darwin – Katherine – Kakadu area in 2008 a... more Results of a 13-day field survey of butterflies in the Darwin – Katherine – Kakadu area in 2008 are compared with existing synoptic maps and a private national database of butterfly records. Ten records of four species are beyond distributions previously mapped for them. The most substantial extensions (> 200 km) are for a species (Cephrenes augiades) that may be expanding its range and another (Nacaduba biocellata) that may be subject to large-scale seasonal irruptions. The Darwin – Katherine – Kakadu area has been moderately surveyed by Australian standards but has only one record of each species per 3,700 km2. Whilst it is likely that national synoptic maps of species’ distributions represent the ranges of most species reasonably accurately, much remains to be learnt about butterfly distributions in the region.
The safe and effective management of aggression has become an increasingly critical skill for men... more The safe and effective management of aggression has become an increasingly critical skill for mental health nurses, particularly those working in acute inpatient settings. There is considerable evidence to suggest that the psychological constructs of self-efficacy and locus of control are closely related to work performance in a variety of occupations. By drawing upon literature published in the past 15 years, this paper highlights this evidence and draws attention to the relationship between self-efficacy and locus of control. The central argument of the paper is that there may be direct relationships among mental health nurses" self-efficacy, their degree of internality or externality in relation to locus of control, and their ability to safely and effectively manage aggressive incidents. We argue the need to further investigate these relationships and discover whether these variables can be modified through professional development activities.
It was a delight to recently read this definitive work on the Solomon Islands butterflies, pa... more It was a delight to recently read this definitive work on the Solomon Islands butterflies, particularly given my interest in the Pacific region. The birdwing illustrations are eye-catching, and I think most ‘butterfliers’ delight at seeing these awe-inspiring creatures in the wild. I, like the author, have had the opportunity to see a number of birdwing taxa during travels in the Asia-Pacific region. In Guadalcanal, I gazed upon both sexes of the localised blue birdwing, Ornithoptera priamus urvillianus as they fed at red hibiscus in village gardens, and patrolled and perched beneath plantation canopy during the heat of the afternoon. In late afternoon, adjacent forest margins, their massive forms could be seen in silhouette, souring above the canopy and feeding amidst treetop blossoms.
Review(s) of: Butterflies of the Solomon Islands: Systematics and Biogeography, by John Tennent, Publisher: Storm Entomological Publications, Dereham, UK, 2002, 413 pages 84 plates, ISBN 0954204506, RRP c. $280.00.
Butterfly ‘twitching’ has not obsessed our ranks as it has many bird watchers in Australia, with ... more Butterfly ‘twitching’ has not obsessed our ranks as it has many bird watchers in Australia, with ambitions to see every bird kind within a given period. I have encountered at least 315 of the 397 butterfly species within the Australian faunal subregion, and still look forward to seeing and photographing live, those intriguing Torres Strait forms magnificently illustrated in this work. This impressive twin tome may captivate some in their strive to see all political Australia’s 414 species, and for others invigorate them to ‘get back out there’ observing and discovering life’s secrets. In an era of conservation, the beautiful plates can substitute for a collection for some, but many specimens from remote areas are still needed to define local forms and delineate subspecies’ distributions. And, other species still await recognition. Several reviews or discussions of this work have already appeared (e.g. Hancock, 2001; Lees, 2001; Samson, 2001; Atkins, 2002; Hawkeswood, 2003), each voicing unique opinions, dependent on the reviewer’s focus speciality. My review avoids reiteration and is best read in conjunction with the earlier ones for completeness. The abbreviations ‘DD91’ and ‘CW81’ are used for Dunn & Dunn (1991) and Common & Waterhouse (1981) respectively.
The Tawny Coster, Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is reported for th... more The Tawny Coster, Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is reported for the first time from the Bowen region, in northern Queensland. This expansion extends the known range some 157 km southeast from Townsville.
The Tawny Coster, Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is reported for th... more The Tawny Coster, Acraea terpsicore (Linnaeus 1758) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) is reported for the first time from the suburban region of Townville, in northern Queensland. This expansion through the Townsville region is likely to have come from populations in the Wet Tropics to the north, or from the northwest through the inland, or via both directions.
A snapshot survey of a small reserve situated between the adjoining suburbs of Lapstone and Glenb... more A snapshot survey of a small reserve situated between the adjoining suburbs of Lapstone and Glenbrook in the Lower Blue Mountains, NSW, provided a shortlist of 17 butterflies – which ranked as 50% of the species known to occur in that small area from this and earlier visits. A number of nectar sources are reported for various species, some of which may be newly reported. Notes on behaviour of selected species are given. A discussion of butterfly trapping behavior by the Asclepiad vine Araujia sericifera is given, adding another incident to the list of ill-fated insects reported by others ; those records from Australia are reviewed. Introduction In December 2009 the authors teamed up for some casual bushwalking with the intent of learning a little more about the foraging habits of particular butterflies in the Sydney region. The secondary author, who had earlier published details of butterfly behaviour in the lower Blue Mountains, NSW (Hawkeswood 1980), followed by a species inventory with ecological notes (Hawkeswood 1981), and who is familiar with the local flora, suggested a follow-up survey in the Glenbrook area. This account provides a list of the butterflies seen during our snapshot survey, and records foraging activity at flowers as the focus of the species accounts. All 17 species seen are well known from the Sydney bioregion, an area extending from the Hawkesbury River southward to the Illawarra district, which has been surveyed historically (Nikitin 1964). We had hoped to see the Rock Ringlet, Hypo-cysta euphemia, a rather localised and intriguing satyrine that favours sandstone cliffs and escarp-ments in the Blue Mountains and Sydney Basin, for which no host plants have been identified with certainty. Our search about rocky areas and ledges where adults might be lingering, however, found no evidence of it, and it had not been seen on previous visits by the second author. The species may be present there as a rare event in seasons or years more suited to its range expansion from elsewhere in the broader region. A number of other localised species were seen and we noted too that the rock ledges, which H. euphemia would haunt if resident, served as perch sites and roosting areas for a couple of satyrines during the rising heat of late morning. Nikitin (1964, 1971) recorded 72 species for the Sydney Bioregion across all seasons, and other workers have reported additional species as incidental records over the years since. Our brief survey suggests that the fauna of that Glenbrook-Lapstone reserve may be limited by regional comparison, or at least was during that particular month in 2009. No doubt, across seasons and years – local sampling has not been done in autumn, winter, or spring – many other butterflies would be present regularly or intermittently as larval host plants boom and bust. The spring and early summer of 2009 was not a favourable one for butterflies and adults of various species were in low to moderate numbers, many being worn or aged on that visit.
This paper lists ten locations for the Plumbago Blue, Leptotes plinius (Fabricius) in inland west... more This paper lists ten locations for the Plumbago Blue, Leptotes plinius (Fabricius) in inland western Queensland and inland New South Wales. All of these populations are likely to be due to human-assisted rather than natural dispersal because they are disjunct from the main distribution of this butterfly in eastern Australia.
New and interesting distribution records and a list of type specimens are recorded from the J.C. ... more New and interesting distribution records and a list of type specimens are recorded from the J.C. Le Souef butterfly collection.
The ‘lived-experience’ of a wasp sting in Samoa, arguably by the vespid, Polistes olivaceus (DeGe... more The ‘lived-experience’ of a wasp sting in Samoa, arguably by the vespid, Polistes olivaceus (DeGeer) is described. It is a phenomenological anecdotal account based on a self-reported single, convenience observation, described in popular literary style for the leisure reading (largely because of identification limitations) of our common-interest community. The painful polistine sting symptomatology is compared and contrasted with a sequential comorbid spider bite (presumably that of a white-tailed spider, Lampona cylindrata) received soon after in Victoria, Australia. The polistine wasp’s toxin exceeded the spider venom in perceived pain. However, the wasp sting paled in terms of longitudinal dermal insult significance when compared with the necrosis that resulted either from the spider’s toxin, a possible fang-introduced infection, or an inappropriate immune response.
New and interesting spatial and temporal distribution records are provided for twenty-one (21) ea... more New and interesting spatial and temporal distribution records are provided for twenty-one (21) eastern Australian butterflies. These records cover the region from the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia to Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. Reasons for range expansions or apparent new distributions are varied. In some cases, they may be due to lack of survey in the regions concerned, many being remote areas. In other instances, an availability of hosts as garden cultivars has enabled colonisation far beyond the natural ranges of some species. Importantly, in this era of environmental concern, one butterfly may have potential bioclimatic usefulness. In south-eastern Australia, the Plumbago Blue, Leptotes plinius might be able to act as a climatic marker, potentially capable of signalling future climate changes linked to projected global warming. I recommend that studies commence to determine the cool temperature sensitivities and breeding constraints of its juvenile stages. I also urge that collation of baseline distribution data in the southern part of its range begin, ideally before the closure of this decade. Repeated surveys are essential to clarify its range limits with exactness and confirm areas of absence in southern New South Wales.
A German, Hermann Elgner resided at Cape York and on several islands in Torres Strait at the turn... more A German, Hermann Elgner resided at Cape York and on several islands in Torres Strait at the turn of the Twentieth century. He collected butterflies and other insect on a regular basis, his efforts adding new species to the list of Australian fauna. His Australian collections now form an essential and historic baseline for that region, one upon which contemporary workers have only recently begun to build. This paper lists Elgner’s geographical movements from 1900-1911 as a guide for researchers examining his material, now part of several Australian museums’ holdings. It refines and expands upon the earlier chronology suggested by Moulds (1977). Using a thematic sample (n=1407 records labelled with Elgner’s name), the analysis of his collecting detected only eleven records conflicting with proposed movements. Yet, this proportion as an estimate of Elgner’s data accuracy hinges consequentially on that of the database from which the data sample came. With elimination of database process and vicarious contaminations (creative of 64% of these eleven records), an estimate of 99.7% was obtained as a measure of Elgner’s labelling accuracy. Statistically, this error estimate, at merely 0.3 percent, upholds Elgner’s veraciousness and labelling validity as exemplary – a model for perfection.
Near Cooktown on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, larvae of Jalmenus eichhorni Staudinger are rep... more Near Cooktown on Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, larvae of Jalmenus eichhorni Staudinger are reported being attended by different ants at night to those in the daytime on the same individual plants. A meat ant, Iridomyrmex sanguineus attended larvae throughout the day and parts of the night, but at night, Camponotus confusus also tended them on several wattles and in company with I. pallidus on one small wattle. This remarkable temporal pattern of attendance repeated the following year suggesting it is routine behaviour, rather than a rare event or a unique instance of novel attendance. Field Notes On 10 January 2001, at 2km SE (by road) of Isabella Falls Qld, I searched roadside Acacia woodland at night using floodlights, in order to see if there might be any larvae of Jalmenus eichhorni Staudinger present. The site selected was about 1km from where, years earlier, I had found larvae on a visit to Cooktown in the dry season (Dunn 1994). During the day on that first encounter in July 1994, the northern meat ant, Iridomyrmex sanguineus attended all larvae found on foliage near the top of several broad-leafed wattles, variably 1-2m in height. This ant was a similar but visibly different species to the southern I. purpureus (Dunn 1994), which commonly attends juveniles of a different, but related butterfly, J. ictinus, in southern Queensland (Eastwood & Fraser 1999). Braby (2000) later listed I. sanguineus along with two other Iridomyrmex species (one undetermined to species) as attendant ants, no doubt observed during the daytime when most collectors seek the juveniles. J. eichhorni is widespread on Cape York Peninsula (Braby 2000) and locally common near Isabella Falls, so on my return visit in 2001, it was not long before I found larvae. They were in small numbers on several wattles within close proximity of each other, consistent with the localised habits of the species. It did not matter that it was after dark, as I reasoned that the larvae were unlikely to seek shelter at night. However, given that I. sanguineus is largely diurnally active, I wondered whether attendance might be relatively sparse after sunset and perhaps even absent very late at night. In this regard, I closely examined the circumstances of the first two larvae and a pupa I found. All were situated about 1.8m metres above ground, near the top of a broad-leafed wattle species prolific in the area. Not surprisingly northern meat ants (I. sanguineus) were still tending them at 2200h EST, although the sun had set at 1945h EST. These wattles appeared to be the same species as those utilised by the larvae in 1994 and so I quickly recognised them as potential food plants. There were no flowers on the hosts, but staff at the DPI at Mareeba later, in 2002, identified them from stems and phyllodes as Acacia leptocarpa. T o t h i s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n wa s a d d e d t h e q u a l i f i e r , " i f t h i s s p e c i e s o c c u r s i n t h e a r e a " o r , i f i t d o e s n o t , t h e n a d i f f e r e n t i a l i d e n t i f i c a t i o n a p p l i e d , a s " s e e mi n g l y Acacia aulacocarpa. " J. eichhorni utilises four wattle species, A. leptocarpa being one of these (Braby 2000). It is likely that A. leptocarpa is a correct identification for my host plants in this instance, and which I take as factual in absence of further eliminative data, but they may utilise A. aulacocarpa as well.
Abstract. Observations are provided
on several females of Heteronympha
mirifica (Butler, 1866) (L... more Abstract. Observations are provided on several females of Heteronympha mirifica (Butler, 1866) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) feeding on a small sap flow from an injury in the trunk of a young Eucalyptus grandis (Myrtaceae) in the Wollemi National Park, northwestern Sydney, New South Wales during late March 2009. Available published and unpublished records of Australian Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae feeding from sap flow are reviewed and compared. Several behavioural strategies associated with sap feeding are suggested. Astonishing as it would seem, this may be the first record of adult foraging for this species.
Zusammenfassung. Die Weibchen von Heteronympha mirifica (Butler, 1866) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) konnten mehrfach an einem kleinen Saftstrom einer Verletzung an der Rinde eines jungen Eucalyptus grandis (Myrtaceae) im Wollemi National Park, Nordwest-Sydney, New South Wales in späten März 2009 saftsaugend beobachtet werden. Es handelt sich um den Erstnachweis für diese Schmetterlingsart am Saftfluss. Verfügbare publizierte und unpublizierte Nachweise australischer Nymphalidae und Lycaenidae die ebenfalls an Saftflüssen beobachtet wurden, werden mitgeteilt.
Hawkeswood, T.J., Dunn, K.L. & Sommung, B. (2016). Acanthus ilicifolius L. (Acanthaceae), a new l... more Hawkeswood, T.J., Dunn, K.L. & Sommung, B. (2016). Acanthus ilicifolius L. (Acanthaceae), a new larval host plant for Hypolycaena erylus himavantus Fruhstorfer, 1912 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) from Thailand, with a review on larval host plants of H. erylus and its weaver ant association. Calodema, 416: 1-8. Abstract: The mangrove, Acanthus ilicifolius L. (Acanthaceae) is recorded as a new larval host plant for the tropical butterfly Hypolycaena erylus himavantus Fruhstorfer, 1912 in Thailand. Hypolycaeana erylus (Godart, 1824), which is clearly polyphagous, is now known to utilize 25 hosts from 17 different plant families. The larvae of this species at the study site appeared to have an obligate myrmecophilous relationship with the weaver ant Oecophylla smaragdina, as larvae were heavily attended by the ant and no last instar larvae appeared to be unattended. This would appear to be (a) the first record of H. eryclus himavantus feeding as larvae on Acanthus ilicifolius, (b) the first record of a host plant in Thailand for this butterfly species and (c) the first butterfly larvae recorded feeding on foliage of Acanthus ilicifolius. A review of known larval host plants for this thecline butterfly is provided as well as a short discussion of weaver ant association with the larvae of this lycaenid.
Hawkeswood, T.J., Dunn, K.L. & Sommung, B. (2016). Papilio demoleus malayanus Wallace, 1865 (Lepi... more Hawkeswood, T.J., Dunn, K.L. & Sommung, B. (2016). Papilio demoleus malayanus Wallace, 1865 (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) feeding on fresh dung of Canis familiaris L. (Mammalia: Canidae) in Thailand, with some extra records of butterflies feeding on mammalian dung in southeast Asia. Calodema, 412: 1-5. Abstract: The tropical butterfly, Papilio demoleus malayanus Wallace, 1865 (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) is newly recorded feeding on fresh dung of Canis familiaris L. (Mammalia: Canidae) in Thailand. There appear to be few accounts of butterflies feeding at mammalian dung in Asia, although it is likely that various species within at least three butterfly families participate opportunistically.
Results of a 13-day field survey of butterflies in the Darwin – Katherine – Kakadu area in 2008 a... more Results of a 13-day field survey of butterflies in the Darwin – Katherine – Kakadu area in 2008 are compared with existing synoptic maps and a private national database of butterfly records. Ten records of four species are beyond distributions previously mapped for them. The most substantial extensions (> 200 km) are for a species (Cephrenes augiades) that may be expanding its range and another (Nacaduba biocellata) that may be subject to large-scale seasonal irruptions. The Darwin – Katherine – Kakadu area has been moderately surveyed by Australian standards but has only one record of each species per 3,700 km2. Whilst it is likely that national synoptic maps of species’ distributions represent the ranges of most species reasonably accurately, much remains to be learnt about butterfly distributions in the region.
The safe and effective management of aggression has become an increasingly critical skill for men... more The safe and effective management of aggression has become an increasingly critical skill for mental health nurses, particularly those working in acute inpatient settings. There is considerable evidence to suggest that the psychological constructs of self-efficacy and locus of control are closely related to work performance in a variety of occupations. By drawing upon literature published in the past 15 years, this paper highlights this evidence and draws attention to the relationship between self-efficacy and locus of control. The central argument of the paper is that there may be direct relationships among mental health nurses" self-efficacy, their degree of internality or externality in relation to locus of control, and their ability to safely and effectively manage aggressive incidents. We argue the need to further investigate these relationships and discover whether these variables can be modified through professional development activities.
It was a pleasure to purchase this guide to the butterflies of Vanuatu, particularly as I have a ... more It was a pleasure to purchase this guide to the butterflies of Vanuatu, particularly as I have a moderate familiarity with the local species and a desire to return one day. With stands of secondary forests so close to villages and with rainforest covering 75% of the country, butterflies are still afforded plenty of habitat. I found 44 species (about 64% of the fauna) in just 11 days on three major islands (Espiritu Santo, Efate and Tanna). Back then, in February 2004, a published checklist (dating from the 1980s) and some black and white photocopied plates from general works on the greater Pacific region (which soon became sweat-soiled in the torrid conditions) guided me in my search. But, had I had this new field guide tucked in my daypack – the handiwork of an Englishman, W. John Tennent – I may have recognised even more!
Terry Houston has studied the native bees for more than 50 years and has now shared his skills an... more Terry Houston has studied the native bees for more than 50 years and has now shared his skills and knowledge in this magnificent guide to the fauna of Australia. An overview of bee biology in 22 chapters makes up the first of the book’s two parts. The second part, with 11 chapters, deals with their identification on a family-by-family basis. The European Bumblebee and its presence ‘down under’ was what I flipped through to first, not because of that ditty but prompted, instead, by a field encounter in Tasmania back in 2007. It was on a warm, sunny day in mid-November at the Arthurs Lake Dam, when an orange-banded whopper with a buff tail skirted the tops of the snow gums, buzzing past loudly before vanishing in that woodland wilderness. I was left more than astonished – not because it ignored me – but because I was unaware that this bee was in Australia! I had wondered at the time how it got into the high country for starters, and who allowed its introduction to the state, and when? It had in fact been in Tassie for many years by 2007, and there were even calls by some (on the internet at that time) to bring it to the mainland! Twelve more years have passed and it remains as a new Australian, wanted by some but not all. Environmentalists know all too well that bumblebees can displace native bees, so the spread of this exotic is concerning. Today, perhaps that call in the ditty to squash one would not be so out-of-place in Tasmania! The short chapter on ‘Bees introduced to Australia’ lists all six species, with the European Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) given third place (albeit without a photo). It would come with no surprise to most, that since its introduction in 1992 it “has now established over the whole of the main island as well as islands in Bass Strait” (pp. 246-247).
Not everything that looks like a cricket is one! The book targets the true crickets, mole cricket... more Not everything that looks like a cricket is one! The book targets the true crickets, mole crickets and ant crickets – members of two superfamilies. Not included are other superfamilies, which comprise the pygmy mole crickets, king crickets, and raspy crickets; the last mentioned group are allied to katydids – common names although popular (and used in the work) do not often tell about evolutionary lineages. The Introduction indicates that there are 539 recognised species in 92 genera, with a plethora of others with distinct songs still waiting to be named – more than enough to fill a handy-sized volume. Indeed, the use of interim nametags here and there, such as the likes of ‘Riatina sp. near nangkita’ make it clear that the taxonomy within some genera is in a transitory state at best, creeping very slowly towards completion. The budding specialist seeking a gap to explore should take note too, that there are more undescribed species in the Mogoplistidae than there are in most other cricket groups. Revealing even more complexity therein, the authors go on to state that females from this family are often impossible to place to genus (let alone to species) in the absence of any accompanying males. With so much taxonomic work yet to do, this guide to the fauna can only rouse more interest in this fascinating group of insects.
The rebuild of the complete dragonfly field guide offers a much-needed update on the taxonomic ch... more The rebuild of the complete dragonfly field guide offers a much-needed update on the taxonomic changes, many of which arose in 2013. This long-awaited piece includes at least five new species, displays several reclassified species and genera in the contemporary arrangement, and updates the family names to match the current world consensus on odonate systematics (now considerably reorganised since the first edition in 2006). Eighteen (18) families (10 of damselflies and 8 of dragonflies proper) involving over 330 species arranged in 113 genera, with some still awaiting more work to clarify their placements at differing levels pack out the second edition. One newly described species, Nannophya fenshami, the Artesian Pygmyfly – some dragonflies can have innovative names – just made the publication deadline! As the authors have slotted it in on page 16, there is no formal treatment of it in the main text but that last-minute insert (and follow-on cross-reference) flags pragmatism, provides transparency and upholds the view that the contents are far from démodé.
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Papers by Kelvyn L Dunn
Review(s) of: Butterflies of the Solomon Islands: Systematics and Biogeography, by John Tennent, Publisher: Storm Entomological Publications, Dereham, UK, 2002, 413 pages 84 plates, ISBN 0954204506, RRP c. $280.00.
on several females of Heteronympha
mirifica (Butler, 1866) (Lepidoptera:
Nymphalidae) feeding on a small sap
flow from an injury in the trunk of a
young Eucalyptus grandis (Myrtaceae)
in the Wollemi National Park, northwestern
Sydney, New South Wales
during late March 2009. Available
published and unpublished records of
Australian Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae
feeding from sap flow are reviewed
and compared. Several behavioural
strategies associated with sap
feeding are suggested. Astonishing as
it would seem, this may be the first
record of adult foraging for this species.
Zusammenfassung. Die Weibchen
von Heteronympha mirifica (Butler,
1866) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)
konnten mehrfach an einem kleinen
Saftstrom einer Verletzung an der Rinde
eines jungen Eucalyptus grandis
(Myrtaceae) im Wollemi National Park,
Nordwest-Sydney, New South Wales
in späten März 2009 saftsaugend beobachtet
werden. Es handelt sich um
den Erstnachweis für diese Schmetterlingsart
am Saftfluss. Verfügbare publizierte
und unpublizierte Nachweise
australischer Nymphalidae und Lycaenidae
die ebenfalls an Saftflüssen beobachtet
wurden, werden mitgeteilt.
Review(s) of: Butterflies of the Solomon Islands: Systematics and Biogeography, by John Tennent, Publisher: Storm Entomological Publications, Dereham, UK, 2002, 413 pages 84 plates, ISBN 0954204506, RRP c. $280.00.
on several females of Heteronympha
mirifica (Butler, 1866) (Lepidoptera:
Nymphalidae) feeding on a small sap
flow from an injury in the trunk of a
young Eucalyptus grandis (Myrtaceae)
in the Wollemi National Park, northwestern
Sydney, New South Wales
during late March 2009. Available
published and unpublished records of
Australian Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae
feeding from sap flow are reviewed
and compared. Several behavioural
strategies associated with sap
feeding are suggested. Astonishing as
it would seem, this may be the first
record of adult foraging for this species.
Zusammenfassung. Die Weibchen
von Heteronympha mirifica (Butler,
1866) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)
konnten mehrfach an einem kleinen
Saftstrom einer Verletzung an der Rinde
eines jungen Eucalyptus grandis
(Myrtaceae) im Wollemi National Park,
Nordwest-Sydney, New South Wales
in späten März 2009 saftsaugend beobachtet
werden. Es handelt sich um
den Erstnachweis für diese Schmetterlingsart
am Saftfluss. Verfügbare publizierte
und unpublizierte Nachweise
australischer Nymphalidae und Lycaenidae
die ebenfalls an Saftflüssen beobachtet
wurden, werden mitgeteilt.