The threatened Richmond birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia [Gray]): a community conservation project

Abstract

Sands, D.P.A .. Scott, S.E. and Moff at, R., 1997. The threatened Richmond birdwing but terfly (Ornithoptera richmondia [Gray]): a community conservation project. Memoirs o_f1he Museum o_ .Destruction of coastal rainforests in south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales has led to extinction of 0. richmondia fr om two-thirds of its original range and a sharp decline in surviving populations. The species is further threatened by depletion of t he butterfly's lowland food plant, Pararistolochia praevenosa, and by presence and spread of the Dutchman's Pipe vine, Aristolochia e/egans, which attracts oviposition but the leaves are toxic to larvae when they attempt to feed. Originally from South America, Dutchman's Pipe has spread from garden cultivation into national parks and reserves. Above 800 m on the Queensland/NSW Border Ranges, P. laheyana, also supports birdwing larvae. However, these populations are subject to periodic extinctions, probably due to climatic stress at the higher altitudes where re-colonisation is thought to be dependent on immigrants fr om low land populations. Community groups and state national parks authorities are participating in projects to conserve the Richmond birdwing butterfly. The CSIRO's Double Helix Sci ence Club is co-ordinating studies on P. praevenosa by students at more than 130 schools, where growth and phenology of 12 vines at each school are being monitored to understand the butterfly's host plant interactions. Aspects of biology of the butterfly and its food plants and strategies which have a bearing on its conservation are discussed.

Launching and steering flagship Lepidoptera for conservation benefit

“…The common flow-on is realisation that the taxon is of much more than local importance, so that far wider advocacy can also be very worthwhile. Local and national entomological societies may provide sources of information and energy -in Australia, the Entomological Society of Queensland and the Entomological Society of Victoria have both helped to guide butterfly conservation projects, and the national science agency (CSIRO) was a critical driver of much of the campaign for the Richmond birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) (Appendix 1, Sands et al 1997).…”

Biodiversity of Australasian Insects

“…Commerce need not be the sole motivation; however, the aesthetic appeal of native birdwing butterflies flying wild in local neighborhoods, combined with local education programs in schools and communities, has saved the subtropical Australian Richmond birdwing butterfly, Troides or O. richmondia. Larvae of Richmond birdwings eat Pararistolochia or Aristolochia vines, choosing from three native species to complete their development (Sands et al 1997). However, much coastal rainforest habitat supporting native vines has been lost, and the alien South American A. elegans (Dutchman's pipe), introduced as an ornamental plant and escaped from gardens, has been luring females to lay eggs on it as a prospective host.…”

“…Replacement with native Pararistolochia was encouraged after a massive effort to propagate the vines. Community action throughout the native range of the Richmond birdwing appears to have reversed its decline, without any requirement to designate land as a reserve (Sands et al 1997).…”

“…Butterflies always have been best known in terms of their taxonomy (with some 650 or so Australian species and subspecies), distributions, life histories, and threats to their existence (New 1990, Dunn et al 1994, Sands 1999) -and this remains so today with a range of conservation action and recovery plans in place (e.g., Sands et al 1997, O'Dwyer and Attiwill 2000, Sands and New 2002. Models of such processes can be seen in the endangered species listing and development of action plans for the Bathurst copper (Paralucia spinifera) and the ongoing management plans for the Eltham copper (P. pyrodiscus lucida) in Victoria (New and Sands 2004).…”

New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995; the invertebrate experience so far

“…The Richmond River Birdwing was in decline for many years, mainly due to clearing of rainforest in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. Its recovery has been the subject of a community program in northern New South Wales (Sands et al 1997), although it is not recovery planning in the sense of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Any attempt by the Scientific Committee to propose a formal conservation status of this species would be met with suspicion because of the fear that listing would prevent captive breeding, which is presently satisfying the market for specimens.…”