Arid Bronze Azure butterfly
We look after the largest known population of this special butterfly. Learn more about its bizarre relationship with an ant, and how private land conservation is contributing to saving this species.
Read more in these articles:
Arid Bronze Azure buttefly - east and west
The threatened Arid Bronze Azure butterfly has two populations - one in Western Australia and one in the Victorian and South Australian Mallee. How did this split come about?
The Sugar Ant is a hero
This is a hero ant. The Sugar Ant (Camponotus terebrans) looks after the caterpillars of the Arid Bronze Azure butterfly. And what goes on underground? We think the caterpillar is eating the ant’s babies!
Looking after the Arid Bronze Azure Butterfly
Well, we made it to number seven. But I’m not sure the list of Australian butterflies most likely to go extinct is a list that you want to top.
Raising ants to save a butterfly
We’re trying to establish a colony of Sugar Ants so we can observe how this hero ant raises the caterpillars of the Arid Bronze Azure butterfly.
Habitat for the Arid Bronze Azure butterfly
What habitat is preferred by the Ogyris butterfly, and its host ant?
Searching for a hero ant
This identification sheet will help you find the “hero ant” that looks after the rare Arid Bronze Azure butterfly.
Spotting the rarest butterfly
This identification sheet will help you spot the rare Arid Bronze Azure butterfly.