Doleschallia bisaltide (Leafwing)

Other Common Names

Australian Leafwing

Notes

I only see the occasional Leafwing when I’m in Cairns, and in many cases they settle on the underside of a leaf above me, where it’s hard to get a decent photograph. It seems strange to me that a butterfly that is designed for camouflage as a dead leaf would settle on green leaves, but they do it.

On the last day of my second visit to Cairns, in April 2006, I was following another butterfly which disturbed a Leafwing. The latter settled on a low shrub and then flew down to the ground and basked with its wings open, allowing me to take several photos.

Since then I haven’t had much luck. I only see them occasionally, and I haven’t been able to get many shots…so far.

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