Silver Xenica

Scientific Name: Oreixenica lathoniella

Family of Butterflies: Nymphalidae (Browns and Nymphs)

Other Common Names: Common Silver Xenica, Dark Silver Xenica, Tasmanian Silver Xenica.

Wingspan: 29mm

Local Records: All records from our region are from the higher areas to the south near Lyonville. ref iNaturalist

Distribution outside our region: In Victoria, most records of this species are from wetter areas of the south-west, Grampians and eastern highlands. Outside Victoria there are records from the Great Dividing Range in NSW as far north as the Queensland border, the far south-east of South Australia and Tasmania.

Larval Host Plants: Grasses inluding Microlaena stipoides, Poa ensiformis and P. labillardiere.

Larval association with ants: None.

Adult Flight Times in Victoria: February to April with most records in March.

Conservation Status:

• The Action plan for Australian Butterflies: No Conservation Significance

• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: Not listed

• Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 – Threatened List: Not Listed

Other Notes: This species favours tall open montane forests with a grassy understory.

References:

Atlas of Living Australia – Oreixenica lathoniella, Silver Xenica.
iNaturalist Australia – Oreixenica lathoniella, Silver Xenica.
Braby, Michael F., Second edition 2016. The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia. CSIRO Publishing.
Field, Ross P., 2013. Butterflies: Identification and Life History. Museum Victoria.