Ptunarra brown butterfly
Current status
This butterfly is listed as Vulnerable under the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995.
Why is it threatened?
The Ptunarra brown butterfly (Oreixenica ptunarra) is threatened because its natural habitat is disappearing. It is a Tasmanian endemic species which means it is only found in Tasmania. It lives in our native grasslands and grassy woodlands in the Midlands, Northwest Plains and Central Plateau. Loss of this habitat through land clearing, grazing by stock and the introduction of exotic pasture grasses have caused the numbers of butterflies to decline.
In the Midlands, it is estimated that less than 3% of the original habitat is left. Loss of habitat means that the butterflies have less food sources available and less areas to hide from predators. The butterfly populations become fragmentated so that it is harder for them to find mates and keep a diverse gene pool. If isolated populations become extinct, these areas are not re-colonised because they are too remote from other populations. If these threats continue then the Ptunarra brown butterfly could soon become endangered and eventually extinct!
What is being done?
The recovery plan requires good habitat management for this species. This requires such strategies as deliberate burning of grassland areas to encourage fresh growth and maintain grassland species diversity whilst reducing invasion by shrub species. These actions are taking place in consultation with timber companies, forestry and private land owners.
Areas of grassland have been set aside from plantations to provide grassland and butterfly conservation. Also in specific areas, plant species which promote and encourage the Ptunarra brown butterflies are being planted.
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