Did you know that there are 200 different species of butterfly on the north coast? How many could you identify?
A new poster entitled Butterflies of North-eastern New South Wales and South-eastern Queensland has been produced by the Tweed-Byron Bush Futures project to help you recognise some of our two-winged local residents.
It includes brief descriptions of 129 of the butterfly species occurring in the region and features 185 images illustrating the diversity of these species, differences between males and females, and top and bottom views.
The images have been reproduced at life size from high-resolution photographs of preserved specimens that were caught locally, with specimens sourced predominantly form the collection of Tweed Shire Council nurseryman and lepidopterist Greg Newland.
Bush Futures project manager John Turnbull says butterflies face a number of serious threats including habitat destruction, inappropriate land management practices and excessive pesticide use.
Copies of the poster will be provided free of charge to local schools and community groups across Tweed and Byron, while members of the public will be able to obtain a copy from Tweed Shire Council offices at Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah.
