Hypochrysops polycletus (Royal Jewel)

Other Common Name

Rovena Jewel

Notes

I’d been hoping to see this species ever since my first visit to North Queensland in 2005. It is occasionally seen and photographed in the Cairns area, but not by me (unfortunately).

I finally got to see it in April 2025 near Cooktown, a couple of days after my first Peacock Awl (Allora doleschalli) in the same location.  Both species breed on the same host plant, Rhyssopterys timorensis, and this male polycletus was found sitting on a Lantana close to a large Rhyssopterys vine. He did jump a tiny bit when I took my first photo, giving a glimpse of the brilliant blue colouration on the upperside of his wings, but other than that he just sat there allowing himself to be photographed. Unfortunately the spot he was in didn’t quite provide the ideal angle for a full side-on shot from either side, but it was still a huge thrill to see him. Another one off my bucket list; only about 100 more species to go…

A little later I got one very poor shot of a worn and battered female, sitting too far up in a tree for me to get a decent photo. I’d have loved to get shots of a fresh female, but it was not to be. Maybe next time.

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