Laced Fritillary - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Argynnis hyperbius

Conservation status in NSW: Endangered

Commonwealth status: Critically Endangered

Gazetted date: 20 Dec 2002

Profile last updated: 14 Oct 2024

Description

The Australian Fritillary Argynnis hyperbius inconstans is a Nymphalid butterfly with a wingspan of 60-66 mm. The upperside of the wings is pale orange-brown with numerous black spots and a black band on the scalloped wing margins giving a laced appearance. The under side of the fore-wing is pinkish-orange with numerous black spots.

Distribution

The Australian Fritillary is restricted to south-east Queensland and north-east NSW in open swampy coastal areas where the larval food plant Arrowhead Violet Viola betonicifolia occurs. Most recently known from a few widespread localities between Port Macquarie and Gympie, populations have declined dramatically to the extent that the butterfly has not been verified at any site for over a decade.

Habitat and ecology

The Australian Fritillary is found in open swampy coastal habitat.
Eggs are laid singly on a leaf of the caterpillar's food plant, the Arrowhead Violet (Viola betonicifolia).
The food plant occurs in the vegetation ground layer beneath grasses and mat-rushes (Lomandra spp.).
Many former sites have been destroyed and very few populations are currently known to be extant.
Adults feed from flowers of various plants in, and surrounding breeding habitat (possibly up to 1km).

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Weed invasion that threatens the food plant Arrowhead Violet Viola betonicifolia.
Clearing and/or modifying the drainage of coastal wetland habitat, particularly for rural and urban development.
The food plant Arrowhead Violet Viola betonicifolia is a palatable species that is also delicate and potentially sensitive to trampling.
With so few remaining populations, the Australian Fritillary is now vulnerable to loss due to butterfly collection.
While the fire response of the food plant Arrowhead Violet Viola betonicifolia is poorly known, its decline in abundance in coastal areas may be the result of altered fire regimes.
Remaining populations are susceptible to reducing connectivity as a result of ongoing habitat fragmentation.
Reduced connectivity has the potential to cause inbreeding.
Insufficient understanding of distribution.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Increasing the number of people searching for the Australian Fritillary is essential to locate NSW populations of the species.
Butterfly collectors need to be discouraged from collecting the species and encouraged to confidentially report sightings.
All sightings of the Australian Fritillary need to be reported to the OEH.
Any sites found need to be protected and management actions consdered necessary carried out.
A captive breeding program is likely to be required if the survival of the Australian Fritillary is to be guaranteed.

Information sources

Braby, M.F. (2016) The complete guide to butterflies of Australia. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)
Lambkin, T.A. and Lambkin, K.J. (1977) Observations on the life history of Argyreus hyperbius inconstans Butler (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidea). Australian Entomological Magazine 17: 13-16
Sands, D.P.A. (1999) Conservation status of Lepidoptera: assessment, threatening processes and recovery actions. Pp. 382-7 in Ponder, W. and Lunney, D. (eds.) The Other 99%: The Conservation and Biodiversity of Invertebrates. (Zoological Society of New South Wales, Mosman)
Sundholm, A. (1978) Extension of the known range of the Australian Fritillary Argynnis hyperbius inconstans Butler Lepidoptera Nymphalidae. Australian Entomological Magazine, 52: 34.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

NSW North Coast	Coffs Coast and Escarpment	Predicted	Within 15 km of coast
NSW North Coast	Macleay Hastings	Known	Within 15 km of coast
NSW North Coast	Yuraygir	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Burringbar-Conondale Ranges	Predicted	Within 15 km of coast
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Lowlands	Predicted	Within 15 km of coast
South Eastern Queensland	Clarence Sandstones	Predicted	None
South Eastern Queensland	Scenic Rim	Predicted	Within 15 km of coast
South Eastern Queensland	Sunshine Coast-Gold Coast Lowlands	Predicted	Within 15 km of coast

Images

Female Australian Fritillary (upper side) Image 1 of 3.
View slideshow.

Related information

Get involved

Report a sighting

Nature conservation

Threatened species