Australian Fritillary Butterfly
$29.95
The Australian Fritillary flutters like a living ember, its sun-kissed orange-brown wings adorned with black, lace-like markings that echo nature’s artistry. A butterfly of striking contrasts, it balances the boldness of its 6 cm wingspan with the fragility of its future due to its dwindling habitat.
To raise awareness and support the efforts to save the Fritillary, we’ve created the Australian Fritillary Butterfly Wooden Toy, a flat packed model kit to Pop out and Play with while educating everyone to do what they can to Protect the Animal and its Habitat, which is also our habitat.
Crafted from FSC-certified Australian Hoop Pine Plywood, this toy is produced entirely in Melbourne, including its eco-friendly packaging. Through this product, we aim to celebrate the beauty of this endangered species while promoting sustainable practices and contributing to its conservation.
Pop:
Simply pop each piece out from the plywood sheet, designed for a snug fit to ensure it holds together well so take your time.
Play:
Follow the easy visual instructions printed inside the packaging to assemble your animal—no messy glue needed and Play!
Protect:
10% of All Profits goes to: Invertebrates Australia who provide an integrated scientific approach to the conservation and promotion of all Australian invertebrates.
Measurements:
Assembled Size: H 4cm x L 7.8cm x W 7.5cm
Package Size: 11.5cm W x 17cm H and weighs only 30g – perfect for posting!
Suitable for ages 6 +
In stock (can be backordered)
Description
The Australian Fritillary Butterfly, which hasn’t been officially recorded since 2001, faces significant challenges due to habitat loss, as swamps are being drained for agriculture and urban development. In the remaining swamps, invasive weeds often overtake the native violets that the butterfly relies on for laying its eggs. Additionally, the species’ survival is further threatened by a lack of ecological knowledge regarding its specific needs, making effective management difficult.
In response, the NSW Government’s Saving Our Species program, alongside the Office of Environment and Heritage and the Lepidoptera Conservation Group, is working to locate and protect this elusive species. If you believe you’ve spotted a Fritillary, please note the location, take photographs of the butterfly and its surroundings, and promptly contact the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment at info@environment.nsw.gov.au.
Conservation Status:
The Australian Fritillary is the most imperiled butterfly in Australia having a 95% likelihood of extinction within 20 years.
Habitat:
The Australian fritillary is known from the coastal strip between Gympie in Queensland and Port Macquarie in New South Wales, although it may potentially occur beyond this area. Australian fritillaries have been recorded in all months of the year, with male butterflies observed more often than females. They fly in sunny weather, usually in open areas near patches of violets.
Lifecycle Essentials:
The female butterfly lays its eggs on or near the arrowhead violet (Viola betonicifolia), a small perennial herb that the caterpillar is believed to feed on exclusively. The violet’s leaves are distinctively arrowhead-shaped, measuring 1-6 cm in length and 5-25 mm in width. This plant thrives in moist environments, such as swamps and drainage lines, and can even be found in artificial drains within cleared areas. Often growing discreetly beneath taller ground plants, the violet provides a vital, yet understated, habitat for the Fritillary’s lifecycle.
How to Help:
You can become a Citizen Scientist and help protect our incredible landscape and native species. Login to the Atlas of Living Australia to record every butterfly, insect, moth or plant you encounter, contributing valuable data that conservationists and scientists can use to safeguard as much of our unique flora and fauna as possible. Join the effort to make a difference!
