Habitat of H. chrysotricha
Creekline in the southern Fleurieu Peninsula with intact wetland vegetation of Gahnia trifida tussocks and Silky Tea-tree (Leptospermum lanigerum). Adjacent woodland has been cleared.
Creekline in the southern Fleurieu Peninsula with Gahnia trifida tussocks that have survived clearing. Adjacent woodland has been cleared.
Creekline suffers periodic overgrazing by cattle, but both H. donnysa and H. chrysotricha survive here due to proximity to a similar adjacent area that is not overgrazed.
Habitat of H. donnysa and H. chrysotricha
Pristine wetland containing Gahnia trifida, at Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park.
First instar larva soon after emerging from egg
Second instar larva
Final instar larvae
Drawing of anal-plate secondary setae
(ideal type)
Fifth instar, magnified anal-plate secondary setae
An Ichneumonid parasitoid wasp
Wasp pupa on left developed during the final instar stage of the skipper larva, killing it before it could pupate.
The remains of the skipper larva skin are to the right of the wasp pupa. The adult wasp is shown in the right photo, sitting on its empty pupa case.
A Gahnia trifida tussock about 1 m high, carrying many larval shelters indicated by the loops in the leaves
A closeup of central shelter
Mature larva-pupal shelter, showing the slight twist to the leaves.
The opening is on the right hand side of the shelter.
Pupa (female)
The opening to the shelter is on the left.
Both ends are sealed with silken pads, clearly shown.
Closeup of the rounded operculum (head-cap)
Ventral side is at top of photo.
Silk pad at the shelter entrance
The top parts of the leaves have been cut away to show the pad, which has caused part of the pad to break away from the leaves.
Closeup of cremaster and posterior end of pupa (ventral side)
The bristles on the cremaster are hooked, which anchor the pupa to the silk lining within the shelter.
Closeup of bristles on pupa
All photography by R. Grund unless stated otherwise.
