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Scientific Name : Heteronympha merope Common Name : Common brown Description : The largest butterfly regularly seen in the park. Sexes are different in size, the females with a wingspan of 75mm, while males are only 65mm.Females are mostly orange on the upper wings, with dark-brown and cream markings on the outer half of the forewings. There is a small eye-spot on each wing. Males are less coloutful being a mixture of brown and orange, again with an eye-spot on each wing. The males have a conspicuous raised vein in the middle of the forewing. Underwings of both sexes are pale with a few faint markings, so that the butterflies are well camouflaged with closed wings. Caterpillars feed on various grasses. Habitat : Open eucalyptus woodland with native grasses. Distribution : Southern Queenland to Tasmania and across the South coast to West Australia. Common in the park especially in open forested areas. Flying Season : December January February March April May Family : Nymphalidae

Available Images View At 50% | View At 100% Female common brown butterfly, with wings closed. View At 50% | View At 100% Male common brown butterfly, with wings closed. View At 50% | View At 100% Male common brown butterfly, with wings open. View At 50% | View At 100% Common brown caterpillar. View At 50% | View At 100% Female Common Brown Butterfly by the Zigzag Track