Monday, February 17, 2025
9.9 C
Kilmore
- Advertisement -

Broadford’s butterflies and day moths

Popular Stories

The North Central Review
The North Central Reviewhttps://ncreview.com.au/
The North Central Review is an independently owned newspaper publishing company based in Kilmore that is responsible for publishing two community newspapers each week, covering communities within the Mitchell Shire

The Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell recently welcomed Jeni Kalowsky to speak at their Broadford’s Butterflies and Day Moths presentation.

A keen nature and wildlife enthusiast, and a well-respected wildlife photographer, Ms Kalowsky spoke about the creation of a brochure titled A Guide to Broadford’s Butterflies and Day Moths.

Ms Kalowsky, along with another Broadford resident Kirsten Boehm, have been observing wildlife, and particularly butterflies and bees in the local environment for many years. Knowing that there were rare species in the area, the duo volunteered with the Threatened Species Conservancy who then involved two Deakin University interns, Chris and Soo, to help collect data in the locale.  

- Advertisement -

Last season, through the spring, summer, and autumn, the group walked the tracks around the Broadford area, particularly on Mount Piper and in the Colin Officer Flora Reserve. They then compiled and classified their observations into an informative and attractive brochure. The brochure gives details of over 30 species with their size, location, and accompanying photograph, highlighting that ‘Broadford was known as one of the last sites of the Small Ant Blue butterfly, as well as hosting a thriving population of the endangered Golden Sun moth’.

Ms Kalowsky spoke about the large butterflies that tend to frequent the mountain tops and treetops, and the smaller ones that are found in the grasslands and flatter areas.

“The largest butterfly on Mount Piper is the Tailed Emperor and all you have to do is climb to the top to see it,” she said.

Stressing that it was important to understand the environment in which butterflies and moths interact in, Ms Kalowsky continued:

“It is very important that we understand which plants attract these butterflies and moths, so they remain in the area and multiply,” she said.

“These are the plants you should have in your own garden: Westringia, Brachycome, Geralton Wax, and Dianella.”

Butterflies

The brochure is designed to encourage both local and visiting wildlife enthusiasts and walkers who want to explore the Broadford area and Mitchell Shire more widely. It will be printed in the next few months and distributed through cafés, clubs, and tourist centres.

Both Ms Kalowsky and Ms Boehm have undertaken the task voluntarily and wish to acknowledge the help and support they have received from Ms Kalowsky’s partner Kevin, Ms Boehm’s parents Julia and Wayne, and also Bob Tompkins with his local expertise in Day Moths.    

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement Mbl -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest Articles

15×15 Crossword 3

Sudoku Hard 3

Mini Crossword 3

Wordrow 3