A poster depicting butterflies native to the region has been produced by the Tweed-Byron Bush Futures project.
The poster “Butterflies of North-eastern New South Wales and South-eastern Queensland” is intended as an accessible resource for the community to aid in identification of butterflies that occur within the region from Coffs Harbour to Noosa Heads.
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 Council offices at Tweed Heads and Murwillumbah. These will be limited to one per person until the current print run has been exhausted. Depending upon demand further copies may be printed and made available for sale through Council.
The new poster includes includes brief descriptions of 129 of the approximately 200 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 from the collection of Tweed Shire Council nurseryman and lepidopterist Greg Newland.
Bush Futures Project Manager John Turnbull praised Mr Newland’s enthusiasm and knowledgeable input, the skilful preparation of images by local photographer Trevor Worden and the technical review provided by local butterfly expert John Moss.
“Butterflies are playing an increasingly important role in conservation biology. The use of butterflies as indicators of environmental health has given them special significance for the general conservation of invertebrate biodiversity, much of which is poorly understood,” Mr Turnbull said.
“While butterflies are one of the most easily recognised insect groups, little is known about the life-cycles of many species or their conservation requirements and much remains to be done to ensure their long-term survival.
“Butterflies face a number of serious threats including habitat destruction, inappropriate land management practices and excessive pesticide use.”
It is anticipated that the poster will prove a valuable resource and reference for many years to come as the last similar poster was prepared in the 1980s by the NSW Department of Education using illustrations.
Copies will also be available for some time at local events where Council’s Natural Resource Management officers establish information stalls.
The Tweed-Byron Bush Futures Project is administered by Tweed Shire Council with funding provided by the NSW Environmental Trust.
