''Trapezites eliena'', commonly known as the orange ochre or eliena skipper,
is a species of
butterfly in the family
Hesperiidae
Skippers are a family of the Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) named the Hesperiidae. Being diurnal, they are generally called butterflies. They were previously placed in a separate superfamily, Hesperioidea; however, the most recent taxonomy ...
. It is endemic to
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, where it occurs in
Australian Capital Territory,
New South Wales,
Queensland,
South Australia, and
Victoria.
It inhabits coastal or montane eucalypt forests.
Description
''Trapezites eliena'' adults are brown above and pinkish-brown below with yellow or orange markings on the wings and a
wingspan of . From above, the forewings each exhibit a rectangular yellow blotch in the cell, two yellow postmedian spots, a yellow spot near the dorsum, an orange-yellow streak along the dorsum to the base of the wing and a subapical band of three small yellow spots, while the hindwings each exhibit a broad central orange band. From below, the forewings each exhibit a dark brown central area to the dorsum and base of the wing with yellow markings similar to those seen above, while the hindwings each exhibit a central silver spot edged in black and four small white-centered brown postmedian spots. Eggs are dome shaped, white or cream in colour developing irregular red bands over time, measuring approximately in diameter with 19-20 longitudinal ribs.
Larvae
A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle.
The ...
are pinkish-brown to greyish-green with faint brown stripes and scattered small brown spots, measuring up to in length. Pupae are brown and mottled with darker brown spots, measuring approximately in length.
Behaviour and life cycle
Adults fly fast and close to the ground, frequently landing on rocks and foliage. Adult males engage in
hilltopping and will defend their established territory from other males. Adult females lay their eggs singly on the species'
host plants, which include several species of
mat-rushes: ''
Lomandra confertifolia
''Lomandra confertifolia'' is a species of perennial herbs in the genus ''Lomandra'', Asparagaceae, subfamily Lomandroideae. It is native to Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_captio ...
,
Lomandra filiformis
''Lomandra filiformis'', commonly known as wattle mat-rush, is a tussock forming perennial herb that is native to Australia. It is sparsely tufted, with strap-like leaves and yellow flowers. It grows in dry sclerophyll forest and grassy wood ...
'', ''
Lomandra longifolia'', and ''
Lomandra multiflora
''Lomandra multiflora'' is a perennial, rhizomatous herb found in Australia. ''Lomandra multiflora'' is also commonly known as many-flowered mat rush, mat rush and many flowered mat-lily. ''Lomandra multiflora'' is a species that is native to Au ...
.''
Once hatched, larvae construct a shelter from silk and dead leaves, resting in their shelter during the day and emerging to feed at night. Larvae
overwinter inside their larval shelters.
Pupation occurs inside the larval shelter, typically near the base of the host plant. There is likely only a single generation each year with adults emerging primarily between November and January, though adults have been recorded from October to March.
References
Butterflies of Australia
Hesperiidae
Trapezitinae
Butterflies described in 1868
Taxa named by William Chapman Hewitson
{{Hesperiidae-stub