In partnership with Butterfly Conservation SA, artist Kathleen Patitsas will draw, and encourage others to draw, various parts of the life cycle of the Chequered Copper (Lucia limbaria) butterfly from photos taken by Greg Coote, a member of the Friends of the Chequered Copper (Lucia limbaria) butterfly.
This will be a great opportunity to connect with nature in the quiet and comfort of the Jervois Room, in the Mortlock Library, thanks to the generosity of the State Library of SA.
) is from the LYCAENIDAE – the blues and coppers, and they make up 36% of the Australian butterflies, i.e. 142 species in 45 genera. 65 of the species are endemic to Australia.
The amazing symbiotic relationship between the ants and the caterpillars, hatching from the tiny egg (~0.8mm in diameter) and moving between the protection of the ant hole and the host plant, where it is encouraged by the ants to feed, we call ‘Herding Caterpillars’.
) around, the caterpillars will eat well and reach maturity after 2-3 months.
We have often come across ‘fresh’ butterflies that have just emerged from the chrysalis, which is in the ant hole, quite often lying flat on the grass – sunbaking.
Connect with nature during the Nature Festival and express yourself by drawing this wonderful species.
