Solander’s Brown

Scientific Name: Heteronympha solandri

Other Common Names: None

Family of Butterflies: Nymphalidae (Browns and Nymphs).

Wingspan: 48mm.

Local Records: There was a possible record of this species for our region from near Lyonville although iNaturalist and Atlas of Living Australia do not show this record. The closest nearby records are from Mt Macedon to the east and Mt Cole to the west. There is suitable habitat for this species around Lyonville and in Wombat Forest.

Distribution outside our region: Victorian records are mainly from the higher montane areas, generally above 500m although this species also occurs in the Grampians and Otway ranges. Outside Victoria there are records from high country areas in NSW to as far north as the ACT.

Larval Host Plants: Poa spp., Wiregrass (Tetrarrhena juncacea).

Larval association with ants: None.

Adult Flight Times in Victoria: January to April, peaking in February.

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 may possibly occur in the higher, wetter forests to the south of our region above 500m. It is very similar to Bank’s Brown, Heteronympha banksii, which is moderately common in these forests.

References and further reading:

Atlas of Living Australia – Heteronympha solandri, Solander’s Brown
iNaturalist – Heteronympha solandri, Solander’s 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.