nzButterfly.info > New Zealand Species > Migrant Species > Very rare migrants
Very rare migrants
There are a few species from Australia, one from India & one from Japan that have being recorded in New Zealand. Each of these species has had less then five individuals recorded in the past 200-300 years. Because of this fact, nzButterfly.info is not going into any great detail on these species due to fact that when something different is noticed it is well publicised.
If you want more information on these species, then I suggest you copy the name below into your favourite search engine.
Blue Tiger(Tirumala hamata hamata (was Danaus hamata hamata))
Only 4 sightings in NZ until 1994, but in Apr - Jun 1995, the where hundreds seen along the west coast from Nelson to Northland along with the Blue Moon. No known recordings since 1995.
The male (left) has androconial scales, which the female (right) doesn't have.
Evening Brown
(Melanitis leda bankia)
Only 2 recordings (New Plymouth in 1967 & Kaitaia in 1972).
Lemon Migrant(Catopsilia pomona pomona)
Only 2 recordings (Auckland before 1876 & Waiomu in 2005). This maybe due to the fact it looks similar to the White Butterfly on the wing & a dead leaf when settled.
Meadow Argus(Junonia villida calybe (also Precis villida calybe))
Very rare visitor & does not breed in NZ. Thousands crossed from Australia in 1886. Foodplants are popular garden flowers, so it could possibly breed here. It's flight can be confused with the Painted Lady, as they both appear orange in flight. However the Painted Lady has continuous wing beats, whereas the Meadow Argus has periods of gliding with it's wings flat.
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