A question for BlacknStormy (or any other entymologist)

[leek]

A question for Rel:

I currently have hundreds if not thousands of small butterflies flying through my garden. They are about 6cm across, white wings with a brown or black edge... They are all flying North and are not stopping...

Any idea what they are and why have they all appeared at once?

Just curious...

[Oneputt]

There was a piece in the local paper about them this morning. Dammed if I can remember any details though.

[radar]

Hi John,

they are the white caper butterfly, see link:

http://www.amonline.net.au/factsheets/caper.htm

Same thing happened last year. Remenbered reading an article about it, did a google search and got this. A set of strong westerly's push them over to the coast. Usually they migrate inland, west of the great dividing range.

Cheers,

André

[leek]

Thanks André,

That's the one... It was amazing - there were thousands of them and they kept coming for about 4 hours... I was hoping to get a few photos, but none of them stopped for a breather...

Thanks for the link...

[Sheetshooter]

Quite a discourse on them on 702 this morning (well I had to listen to something on the drive to Bayview). They have been blown far away from their inland habitat and food supply by the westerly winds.

There is some termite-y thing doing the rounds at present also.

[leek]

There is some termite-y thing doing the rounds at present also.

Yep... they were swarming last night and landing all over my house's newly completed timber framed extension - Evil little blighters... I'll have the place treated as soon as building is complete...

Quite interesting though... When I managed to catch them, they shed their wings as soon as they landed... Shortly before they were squished...

[Sheetshooter]

Yes, the chap from the Uni was saying that their wings fall off immediately upon landing. It is how they migrate to establish of inhabit a new nest, apparently no turning back!

Out again tonight perhaps. It is rather balmy over here - can't be that different the other side of the river.

[Dug]

In Maroochydore the wind was coming from the north west and they were flying directly into it.


I have seen them out over the ocean it looked amazing white butterfly's and blue sea.

[Zeeke]

Last time i went fishing (lol) about 5 days ago.. i was about 75kms off Mooloolaba and saw hundreds of these butterflies offshore. all heading slightly NE.. and going further.. often see them chasing after the boat trying to land on it... when we stop.. we have had them land on the boat for a break.. clever little gidgits lol..

Tim

[Dug]

were you fly fishing???

match the hatch????

[Zeeke]

lol... yerp.. flyfishing for marlin!

lol

Tim