Varied Sword-grass Brown

Scientific Name: Tisiphone abeona

Other Common Names: Sword-grass Brown

Family of Butterflies: Nymphalidae (Browns and Nymphs)

Wingspan: 52mm male, 59mm female

Local Records: There are many records of this species from the higher, southern parts of our region.
Most records on iNaturalist are from the vicinity of Lyonville although there are a few records from Wombat Forest to
the north of Lyonville.

Distribution outside our region: There are many records of this species from southern Victoria,
particularly wetter areas closer to the coast. There are also records from the Grampians and the
northern slopes of the Great Dividing Range. Outside Victoria this soecies is found along the east coast
south of Hervey Bay and the far south-east of South Australia. ref: iNaturalist and Atlas of Living Australia

Larval Host Plants: Gahnia spp. particularly G. sieberiana in Victoria.

Larval association with ants: None

Adult Flight Times in Victoria: Victorian records range from October to May with peak flying time from
November to February.

Conservation Status:

• The Action Plan for Australian Butterflies: No Consevation Significance

• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999: Not listed

• Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 – Threatened List 2021: Not Listed

References:

Atlas of Living Australia – Tisiphone abeona, Swordgrass Brown.
iNaturalist Australia – Tisiphone abeona, Varied Sword-grass Brown.
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.