Summary
The 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires devastated East Gippsland, burning through much of the habitat of seven already threatened butterfly species. With highly localised ranges and specialised requirements — such as specific host plants and ant associations — these butterflies are exceptionally vulnerable. Without targeted recovery actions, some are at risk of vanishing forever.
This project is delivering the first comprehensive surveys and recovery planning effort for these butterflies in more than 30 years. Combining science, Traditional Owner knowledge, and community engagement, it aims to secure remnant populations, restore habitats, and prevent extinctions.
Target species: Seven threatened butterflies were prioritised:
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Southern Sedge-darter (Telicota eurychlora) – FFG: Vulnerable
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Large Ant-blue (Acrodipsas brisbanensis) – FFG: Endangered
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Orange-ringlet (Hypocysta adiante) – FFG: Regionally extinct
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Silky Hairstreak (Pseudalmenus chlorinda fisheri) – Vulnerable
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Chequered Sedge-skipper (Hesperilla mastersi mastersi) – Data deficient
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Two-spotted Grass-skipper (Pasma tasmanica) – Vulnerable
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Common Pencilled-blue (Eirmocides absimilis) – Data deficient
Project Strategy
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Post-fire surveys: Assess populations of threatened butterfly species across burnt and unburnt areas.
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Habitat restoration: Improve food plant and breeding site availability through revegetation and weed control.
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Ex-situ conservation: Collect and store seed and germplasm of host plants critical to butterfly survival.
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Research & monitoring: Investigate butterfly ecology, host plant interactions, and long-term recovery needs.
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Community involvement: Train and mobilise volunteers, citizen scientists, and Landcare networks to support monitoring and habitat restoration.
Key Achievements
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Confirmed survival of four threatened butterflies post-fire: Large Ant-blue, Common Pencilled-blue, Chequered Sedge-skipper, and Two-spotted Grass-skipper.
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First records in decades: Rediscovery of the Two-spotted Grass Skipper (last seen 2012) and confirmation of Common Pencilled-blue in Indigenous-managed landscapes.
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Urban refugia discovery: Chequered Sedge-skipper found persisting in gardens at Gipsy Point, showing the resilience of butterflies in unexpected places.
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Novel modelling: Species distribution models developed to predict priority sites for future surveys and conservation action.
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Citizen science success: More than 600 butterfly sightings logged by volunteers, doubling the detection of target species.
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Scientific publication: Peer-reviewed research published on bushfire impacts to threatened butterflies.
Partners
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Threatened Species Conservancy (TSC) – Project leadership and species experts
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Far East Victoria Landcare, Landcare Australia, Landcare Victoria – Community partnerships
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Parks Victoria, DELWP, GLaWAC – Land management, technical support, and Indigenous knowledge
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Volunteers, citizen scientists, and universities – Data collection, monitoring, and research
Conservation Status
All seven focal butterflies are listed as threatened under Victorian legislation, with the Orange-ringlet considered regionally extinct
Costs
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Stage 1 – Completed: Baseline surveys, community training, Action Statements, threat assessments, and habitat modelling.
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Stage 2 – Underway: Requires further funding for expanded monitoring, fire and weed management, host plant revegetation, and feasibility trials for captive breeding and ant detection dogs.
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Estimated Cost: $750,000
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Funding Received: $256,046 (Landcare Led Bushfire Recovery Grants, 2021)
