This year Entosearch has continued its surveying of South Australia’s only endemic butterfly, the Waterhouse Hairstreak or Jalmenus lithochroa.

These beautiful butterflies can be seen flying from October to March in the Mid-North, Flinders Ranges and Pt. Augusta region of  SA.

The population of Waterhouse Hairstreak is totally dependent on Acacia victoriae as the  only plant that the butterfly lays its eggs on (larval hostplant) and have a unique symbiotic relationship with the large ferocious meat ant who acts as a larval attendant and protector.

Caterpillars are very vulnerable to predation from a range of birds, insects and other animals, so as a defence, the Waterhouse Hairstreak larvae secrete a sweet substance that is attractive to their attendant ants. The ants feed on this substance and protect the caterpillar from predators. If disturbed, the ants will vigorously defend the larvae against the attackers.

The butterflies usually remain very close to their original colony, with the males  being most active in the warmer months as they fly about the hostplant looking for newly emerged females.