What could be more spectacular during summer, than the sight of newly emerged butterflies on Christmas Eve? This week I have noticed many flitting around the property, and in particular was thrilled to see the gorgeous Blue Tiger Butterfly (Tirumala hamata), as not only is it one of my favourite butterflies, but it is one that we don't see at our property often, mostly because we don't have enough of their food plants growing here. The Blue Tiger Butterflies migrate towards Brisbane from North Queensland, and in the past we have seen them locally in large numbers - almost like a plague! I note however that in 11 years, this is my first blog post featuring a photo of this butterfly!!
Like most butterflies the Blue Tiger Butterflies food plants are vines, in particular the Cork Milk Vine (Secamone elliptica) and they also like heliotropes (which we have a few of here at Jarowair in the weed variety). An interesting fact about Blue Tiger Butterflies that I read recently on About the Garden Website is that "The male Blue Tiger butterfly collects the pollen as it contains pheromones that make it poisonous to the birds but very attractive to the female Blue Tiger butterfly." A fabulous defence and attraction mechanism all in one!
Judi Gray
Like most butterflies the Blue Tiger Butterflies food plants are vines, in particular the Cork Milk Vine (Secamone elliptica) and they also like heliotropes (which we have a few of here at Jarowair in the weed variety). An interesting fact about Blue Tiger Butterflies that I read recently on About the Garden Website is that "The male Blue Tiger butterfly collects the pollen as it contains pheromones that make it poisonous to the birds but very attractive to the female Blue Tiger butterfly." A fabulous defence and attraction mechanism all in one!
Judi Gray
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| Blue Tiger Butterfly (Tirumala hamata) at Jarowair on Christmas Eve 2017 |
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