Australia Post

One of the more stunning flowers at this time of year is the red and yellow Running Postman or Scarlet Coral Pea (Kennedia prostrata). Along the rail trail it is generally found in small clumps on the slopes of the railway cuttings but just east of Homewood there is a stretch of about 20 metres of the prostrate shrub twined in amongst the grasses (see left).

Frequenting the plants was a sole Long-tailed Pea-blue butterfly (Lampides boeticus) pictured above. Its name is derived from the tail-like appendages at the bottom of the hindwings (see photo), the fact that it is a member of the family of butterflies known as ‘Blues’ and that its young feed on the leaves of pea plants such as the Running Postman.

The butterfly spent some time taking nectar from the flowers but more time visiting the leaves, on which closer examination showed it was laying eggs. Pea-blues can have up to three generations in a year.

As is the case with some other members of the ‘Blue’ butterfly family, the caterpillars and pupae of the Pea-blue are sometimes associated with attendant ants. When the caterpillars hatch they emit a pheromone to attract ants in the area of the correct species. The ants tend the caterpillars by providing protection from predators and parasites in return for a sweet liquid food that the caterpillars/pupae exude, click HERE for a related blog. It is an amazing symbiotic relationship.

This will now be a regular stop on the rail trail. I want to see if the ants will come. Such anticipation.