Small Grass-yellow (wet season / summer form), Tarilta Gorge
Photo: Euan Moore
Small Grass-yellow (dry season / winter form)
Photo: Euan Moore
Scientific Name: Eurema smilax
Family of Butterflies: Pieridae (Whites and Yellows)
Other Common Names: Bordered Sulphur, Australian Yellow Butterfly.
Wingspan: 30mm Male, 33mm female.
Local Records: This butterfly was not recorded in our area by Tony Morton but was seen and photographed in Tarilta Gorge, Glenlyon, in January 2022. Since then there have been additional records for our region recorded in iNaturalist.
Distribution: The Australian distribution is shown by records in the Atlas of Living Australia where you
can zoom in on the map to see Victorian and local distributions. This species is found across the mainland but is more frequent in northern areas.
Larval Host Plants: These are members of the genus Senna which occur most commonly in drier
areas of inland and northern Australia where most breeding occurs. Some Senna spp. occur in the
drier regions of North-west Victoria so it is possible that this species may breed in that region.
Larval association with ants: None
Adult Flight Times in Victoria: This species is most frequently seen in Victoria during October and
March/April. Across Australia, flight times peak late September through to November with a minor peak
of activity from March through April. Ref: iNaturalist.
Conservation Status:
- The Action plan for Australian Butterflies: Not listed
Other Notes: This is a migratory species that is seen in Victoria most years. The Small Grass Yellow has a
wet and a dry season form corresponding to the seasons in northern Australia. Both forms may be seen
in Victoria although the wet season form with fewer brown markings on the underwing is more common
(iNaturalist sightings)
References and further reading:
Atlas of Living Australia Eurema smilax, Small Grass Yellow
iNaturalist Australia Eurema smilax, Small Grass Yellow
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