The Tasmanian Land Conservancy is working with PhD student, Jo Potter, to protect the threatened ptunarra brown butterfly. This butterfly only occurs in Tasmania’s native grasslands, which include TLC’s spectacular Vale of Belvoir Reserve, near Cradle Mountain.
The ptunarra brown butterfly has been said to be the ideal research subject – it only flies for several weeks in mid- to late-March, and only when the weather is warm and still, which is usually between 10am and 3pm.
TLC will be working with Jo during the flying season to conduct population surveys at the Vale of Belvoir, but the dates will be dependent on the weather. In addition to the population surveys, Jo is also working on quantifying threats to this species, which include the introduced European wasp. As such, we are looking for volunteers to assist on a one-off or regular basis in the northwest of the state on most weekends in March and April. Basic accommodation can be provided and car-pooling from Hobart may also be possible.
If you are interested in this project, please contact Jo directly by email: [email protected]or by phone 0428 549 933.
Ptunnara brown butterfly (Oreixenica ptunnara) ABC News: Craig Heerey