The Eltham copper is small, with a wingspan of 25 to 27 mm.The uppersides of the wings are dark brown in males and females, with both fore- and hind wings bearing a yellow-copper area (Braby, 2000). The underside of both wings is brown of various shades, with a series of darker brown, irregular, ‘zig zag’ lines. Eggs are white, 0.9 mm in diameter, generally dome-shaped and flattened at the top. Larvae are yellowish-brown, and a prominent dark reddish mid-dorsal line extends from the thorax to near the end of the abdomen in later stages. The end of the abdomen is considerably flattened in mature larvae. First stage larvae are 2- Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida (Eltham copper) Conservation Advice Page 2 of 15 2.5 mm long; final (eighth) stage larvae are approximately 18 mm long. Pupae are 10-14 mm long,, yellowish-brown, with numerous small dark brown flecks and a mid-dorsal line along the abdomen.
Eltham Copper Butterfly |
Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida
Status: Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida
Slashing and burning of vegetation as preventative measures for wildfires is cited as a direct threat (Borton pers. comm.; 2014).
Prescribed burning directly threatens all habitat in which the Eltham copper and larval foodplant occur; and the effects will be magnified if burning occurs every 5 10 years (Bayes pers comm.; 2016).
The key issue of wildfire and its ability to threaten populations of the Eltham copper refers to the seasonality of the fire and the area burnt (Mays pers comm 2015).
Thick regrowth of Cassinia spp. and Acacia spp. after drought and fire may particularly threaten the Eltham Greensborough population (Borton pers. comm.; 2014).
Avoid adverse impacts of planned burning on surrounding housing through careful planning and execution (Sands and New; 2002).
Thick regrowth of Cassinia spp. and Acacia spp. after drought and fire may particularly threaten the Eltham Greensborough population (Borton pers. comm.; 2014).
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