Erina acasta

Blotched Dusky-blue at O'Connor, ACT

Erina acasta at O'Connor, ACT - 21 Nov 2015
Erina acasta at O'Connor, ACT - 21 Nov 2015
Erina acasta at O'Connor, ACT - 21 Nov 2015
Erina acasta at O'Connor, ACT - 21 Nov 2015
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Identification history

Erina acasta 29 Nov 2015 SuziBond
Erina acasta 28 Nov 2015 ibaird

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User's notes

Although my photography is not perfect, I have suggested Candalides acasta (Blotched Dusky-blue) rather than C. hyacinthina because the underside spots on the hindwing are indistinct compared to the large hindwing spots for C. hyacinthina shown in the field guide (see Braby pp. 262-4). These butterflies (flying at midday) were clearly seeking out and alighting on the Dodder-laurel Cassytha sp. which was growing on its low growing Leptospermum sp. (probably L. multicaule) host which was providing the ground cover to about 50cm height max.

1 comment

SuziBond wrote:
   29 Nov 2015
Photos are good as they show food plant (Cassytha), and both sides of the butterfly. Candalides hyacinthina have quite distinct black dots in their forewing compared to C. acasta, and you can also see the faint light brown smudge on the hindwing in the third photo, this is something that C. hyacinthina lacks.

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