Synonyms

This species was formerly classified as Ogyris subterrestris petrina; it was elevated to species status in 2023.

Notes

This species is only known from a few sites in WA. It was first found in a small area near Mukinbudin in WA, which is where I photographed it in late October 2016. There were a fair number of these butterflies on the wing at the time, which was very encouraging.

2025 was even more encouraging, as instead of “a fair number” there were lots of petrina males disputing ownership of a dirt road. Hopefully it’s a sign that their numbers are increasing, though of course they might just have been having a good year. I was also able to get my first photos of females, though they didn’t turn out as well as I’d hoped.

Sightings

Mukinbudin, WA – October 2016, October 2025

Links

• The Complete Field Guide to Australian Butterflies (2nd edition) by Michael F. Braby
• Atlas of Living Australia
• South Australian Butterflies & Moths
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility
• iNaturalist
• WA Parks and Wildlife – Arid Bronze Azure butterfly
• The critically endangered Arid Bronze Azure butterfly (Ogyris subterrestris petrina): progress report and recommendations for future actions
• Mallee Conservation
• A new species of Ogyris Westwood (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) from southern inland Australia