Hypocysta metirius

Hypocysta metirius Butler, 1875
(Erroneously: Hypocista metirius)
Common Brown Ringlet
SATYRINAE , NYMPHALIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

These caterpillars are green or brown with vague light and dark lines along the body. The caterpillars have two short horns with white edges on both the head and the tail. The caterpillars grow to a length of about 2 cms.

(Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

They feed on common grasses and sedges such as:

Tall Saw Sedge ( Gahnia clarkeis, CYPERACEAE ),

Couch ( Cynodon dactylon, POACEAE ),

Wanderrie Grass ( Eriachne pallescens, POACEAE ), and

Alexfloydia repens ( POACEAE ).

(Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

The pupa is angular and brown, and hangs from a stem. It has a length of about 1 cm.

(Photo: courtesy of Dave Britton, Australian Museum)

The adult butterflies are brown, with an orange patch on each hind wing ending in an eyespot.

(Photo: courtesy of Nick Monaghan, )

Underneath, the wings are brown, and each hind wing has two eyespots. The adult butterflies have a wingspan of about 3 cms.

egg
(Photo: courtesy of Wes Jenkinson)

The eggs are pale green and spherical. They are laid singly on foodplants.

The species may be found along the east coast of Australia, including

Queensland,

New South Wales, and

Victoria.

underside
(Specimen: courtesy of The Australian Museum)

There have been times when we have seen Hypocysta metirius , Hypocysta pseudirius , and Hypocysta adiante flying together. They are very difficult to tell apart in flight