More than ten years have passed since researchers last verified a sighting of the Australian Fritillary.
Conservation Status in NSW: Endangered
Commonwealth Status: Critically Endangered
The Australian Fritillary is an elusive butterfly from the Nymphalidae family. Once found along parts of Australia’s east coast, its population has rapidly declined, and there have been no confirmed sightings in over a decade. By learning how to accurately identify this species and understand its habitat and ecology, we can support efforts to bring the Australian Fritillary back from the brink of extinction.
Identification:
The Australian Fritillary, also known as the Laced Fritillary, gets its name from the distinct lace-like black band that lines the edges of its wings. While this feature is shared by both sexes, male and female Australian Fritillaries differ noticeably in appearance.
Male Australian Fritillary
- Wingspan: Approximately 60 mm
- Upper side of wings: Light orange-brown with various circular black markings
- Underside of wings: Similar patterns to the upper side, but with a pinkish-orange background
- Apex of the wings: Lighter orange shade
(Department of the Environment and Energy, 2017)
Female Australian Fritillary
- Wingspan: Approximately 66 mm
- Upper side of wings: Similar to the male, but with a paler orange tone and more distinct black markings
- Underside of wings: Light orange-brown with various circular markings
- Apex of wings: Some females also show a slight green tinge at the wing tips
(Department of the Environment and Energy, 2017)
Habitat, Distribution & Diet:
The Australian Fritillary butterfly is limited to areas where its larval food source, the Arrowhead Violet (Viola betonicifolia), naturally grows. This native violet is found in swampy coastal habitats stretching from south-east Queensland to north-east New South Wales. The most recent known populations of the butterfly were located between Port Macquarie and Gympie. Many former ecological sites have been lost due to habitat destruction, and as a result, there have been no verified sightings of the Australian Fritillary for over a decade.
However, any area where the Arrowhead Violet persists is considered a potential habitat for the species. This is because adult Fritillaries lay their eggs on the violet’s singular leaves, which provide the essential food source for their larvae. Adult butterflies also feed on a range of flowering plants found in the same habitat where the Arrowhead Violet grows.
(NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, 2024)
What can you do?
Finding remaining populations of the Australian Fritillary is critical to the species’ survival in NSW. Here’s how we can all play a part:
More eyes on the ground: Increasing the number of people actively searching suitable habitat can help locate any remaining populations. Refer to Saving Our Species guide for accurate identification.
Report, don’t collect: Butterfly collectors are urged not to take specimens. Instead, report sightings confidentially to help conservation efforts.
Share your sightings: All potential sightings should be reported to the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (formerly OEH).
Protect important sites: If habitat is found to support the species, it should be protected and carefully managed to support both the butterfly and its food plant.
Support future planning: A captive breeding program may be needed to give the Australian Fritillary the best chance of recovery.
(NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, 2024)
Under Threat:
The survival of the Australian Fritillary is closely tied to the health of its food plant, the Arrowhead Violet (Viola betonicifolia). This delicate groundcover grows in moist coastal habitats, but faces a number of serious threats:
Weed invasion is outcompeting Arrowhead Violet in many areas, reducing the availability of food and egg-laying sites for the butterfly.
Drainage changes and land clearing for urban and rural development have modified or destroyed large areas of suitable wetland habitat.
Trampling pressure from people, vehicles or livestock can easily damage the fragile Arrowhead Violet, which is palatable and sensitive.
With so few Fritillary populations left, the species is at risk from illegal butterfly collecting.
The plant’s response to fire is not well understood, but changes to fire regimes may be contributing to its decline.
Remaining butterfly populations are small and isolated, making it harder for individuals to move between sites. This loss of habitat connectivity increases the risk of inbreeding.
There is also limited data on where remaining populations are located, making it harder to protect them effectively.
(NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, 2024)
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Reference List:
Department of the Environment and Energy. (2017, August 15). Conservation advice: Argynnis hyperbius inconstans (Australian fritillary). Australian Government. https://environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/88056-conservation-advice-15082017.pdf
NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. (2024, October 14). Laced fritillary – profile. NSW Government. https://threatenedspecies.bionet.nsw.gov.au/profile?id=10064
