Other Common Names
Broom Heath-blue, Mathew's Blue

This butterfly makes N. agricola look positively spectacular, as this species is smaller and duller. It is also a fast flying species, which doesn't tend to land for long. I did find, however, that early in the morning they did bask for relatively long periods, especially in overcast conditions.

I found large numbers of these butterflies around the Kurnell peninsula, along fire trails and in the dune heaths. There were also some N. agricola, but they were very much in the minority. Unfortunately, when I returned to Kurnell after an interval of 12 years I found very few mathewi, and only in one spot a couple of hundred metres in from the entrance to the National Park. I didn't see any agricola at all.

I suspect that whoever gave this butterfly the common name Dull Heath Blue must have been colour blind.

Sightings
Kurnell - October 2005, September 2008, September 2020.
Blackheath - November 2014