Cyprotides maculosus

19 Spotted Trident-blue at suppressed

Cyprotides maculosus at suppressed - 30 Sep 2017
Request use of media

Identification history

Cyprotides maculosus 9 Oct 2017 SuziBond
Unidentified 3 Oct 2017 MatthewFrawley

Identify this sighting


Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.

Significant sighting

19 Apr 2023

This image triggered the discovery of a new species, restricted to southern ACT and Kosciusko National Park and considered to be threatened. Its caterpillars feed on Hakea microcarpa, which mainly grows in high mountain frost hollows

User's notes

At a guess, about 30mm wingspan, unsure of species despite looking extensively at field guide. Photo taken right at the base of the Boboyan trig. Couldn't get a photo with wings open but upperside seemed to be a bronze colour. Over to you Suzi for an ID.

15 comments

   17 Apr 2023
I had the unusual experience of hearing my name mentioned on ABC Radio Canberra this afternoon in relation to this particular sighting. Some exciting news on the way about this butterfly.
AaronClausen wrote:
   17 Apr 2023
Congratulations @MatthewFrawley very exciting!!
   18 Apr 2023
Has now hit the online print media: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-18/new-butterfly-species-identified-spotted-trident-blue-act-nsw/102233310
Christine wrote:
   18 Apr 2023
WOW! Well done Matthew! The very first photo of a "new" species of butterfly. Congratulations indeed!
Seems we will need a new listing for the Spotted Trident-blue :)
AaronClausen wrote:
   18 Apr 2023
Cyprotides frawleyii
Christine wrote:
   18 Apr 2023
But I think they have called it cyprotides maculosus
AaronClausen wrote:
   18 Apr 2023
Yes it seems they have
   18 Apr 2023
It's a good specific name, focusing on the spots.
   18 Apr 2023
@MichaelMulvaney perhaps an update to the significant sighting text of this one now that this new status has come to light?
DPRees125 wrote:
   18 Apr 2023
Excellent indeed, just goes to show.
   18 Apr 2023
If anyone wants to listen to the interview on ABC Radio Canberra yesterday between Georgia Stynes and Associate Professor Michael Braby, it is available here (not sure for how long): http://isentia.co/0/nQgRGtCxKs79?id=R00098717741&channel=ABC%20Radio%20Canberra&location=Australia&date=2023-04-17T12%3A47%3A51&keywords=CSIRO
   18 Apr 2023
Also, Suzi Bond sent me the recent taxonomic paper on Cyprotides that details the revision, if anyone is interested in that you can direct message me and I can arrange to send you the PDF.
owenh wrote:
   18 Apr 2023
Ace Matthew!
HelenCross wrote:
   18 Apr 2023
Great work Ace!
KorinneM wrote:
   19 Apr 2023
Fabulous!!!! Congratulations!

Please Login or Register to comment.

Sighting information

Additional information

  • 25mm to 50mm Animal size
  • Unknown Gender

Species information

Record quality

  • Images or audio
  • More than one media file
  • Confirmed by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
  • GPS evidence of location
  • Description
  • Additional attributes
2,148,925 sightings of 19,884 species in 6,408 locations from 11,278 contributors
CCA 3.0 | privacy
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.