(Article and photos by Barbara Weller)
My daughter
has a ‘Butterfly’ vine growing on the side fence of her house in Townsville. I
am unsure whether it is an Aristolochia
tagala or
Pararistolochia
deltantha but the Birdwing butterflies really like it. On my
recent visit there were several larvae (caterpillars) living on the vine – they
ranged in size from about half a centimeter to about six centimeters in length
although they would be smaller when newly hatched.
From the description they appear
to be Cairns Birdwing caterpillars with colourful spines to ward off predators. Unfortunately, as described in this
on-line reference, the caterpillars do tend to ringbark the vine when almost
ready to pupate. Although leaves droop from water loss, the flow of nutrients
is concentrated so the caterpillar gets a more nutritious meal before pupation.
Pupation occurs in a cleverly camouflaged
cocoon, which resembles a dead, dried leaf. (http://beforeitsgone.com.au/2011/05/03/backyard-beauties-the-cairns-birdwing-butterfly/)
Two
caterpillars had pupated but the butterflies had not hatched when I left for
home. However, just before I came back to Toowoomba, I was fortunate to see a
female birdwing, which is not as brightly coloured as the male, fluttering
around the vine and probably laying her eggs on it. I was not quick enough to
take a photo.
I have planted two ‘Butterfly’ vines on my side fence
in Toowoomba with the hope of attracting them to my garden and contributing to
their long-term survival. However, these vines are different and designed to attract
the Richmond Birdwing. So far, no luck! |
| Butterfly vine |
 |
| Caterpillar |
 |
Pupa |
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