Rayed Blue, upper. A very worn individual.
Photo: Euan Moore,
Rayed Blue, underside, showing the diagnostic black spots along the trailing edge of the wings.
Photo: Euan Moore,
Scientific Name: Candalides heathi subsp. heathi
Other Common Names: None
Family of Butterflies: Lycaenidae (Blues and Coppers)
Local records: There is a 2021 record of this species from Fryers Ridge and a more recent record from Newstead, iNaturalist. Tony Morton recorded this species near Ephinstone and at Fryerstown.
| Tony Morton’s records of Rayed Blue from the local area (between 2000 to 2013) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Location | Notes |
| 12-Nov-2011 | Tower, Tunnel Hill Tk., Elphinstone | one only, Derwentia not seen |
| 12-Nov-2011 | Garden, Fryerstown | 4 tiny larvae (of this sp.?) taken for Vaughan garden |
| 13-Oct-2011 | Garden, Fryerstown | sporadic |
| 23-Nov-2009 | Garden, Fryerstown | larva on Derwentia perfoliata |
Distribution outside our region: In Victoria, there are groups of records from Hattah-Kulkyne, the Brisbane
Ranges and You Yangs and Mt Buller-Stirling with occaisional records from other areas. Outside Victoria it occurs in all mainland states. iNaturalist, Atlas of Living Australia.
Larval Host Plants: Derwent Speedwell (Derwentia derwnetiana); Snowy Mint-bush (Prostanthera
nivea); Stiff Westringia (Westringia rigida) and Plantains (Plantago spp.).
Larval association with ants: None.
Adult Flight Times in Victoria: In Victoria, peak in October to December (particularly November), but
with some adults seen in flight from August to April.
Conservation Status:
- The Action plan for Australian Butterflies: No Consevation Significance
- Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 – Threatened List: Not Listed
Other Notes: Records from Tony Morton represent an extension of known range for the species within Victoria. Status in the Mount Alexander Shire is uncertain.
References and further reading:
Atlas of Living Australia – Candalides heathi, Rayed Blue
iNaturalist – Candalides heathi Rayed Blue
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.