Blue wanderer

Description:

Tirumala hamata, the Blue Tiger, Dark Blue Tiger or Blue Wanderer, is a butterfly of the Nymphalidae family. The wingspan is about 70 mm. The adult butterfly of this species have black wings with blue spots and have been observed scratching the leaves of Heliotropium amplexicaule and Parsonia straminea, possibly to suck out moisture. The larvae are grey with black bands between segments and orange lateral lines and a black head with white markings.

Habitat:

Tirumala hamata is found in south-east Asia and throughout Australia. In Australia, the butterflies perform mass migrations to the south in some years, making a delightful spectacle.

Notes:

Spotted in Barron Gorge National Park, Australia.