New distribution records for some butterflies from the Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Queensland

Abstract

The geographical distribution of the butterflies of the Gulf of Carpentaria, especially the southern section, is poorly known. In this note, new distribution records are provided for the Caper Gull (Cepora perimale), Eichhorn's Crow (Euploea alcathoe eichhorni), Chocolate Argus (Junonia hedonia), Moth Butterfly (Liphyra brassolis), Black-spotted Flash (Hypolycaena phorbas), Dark Ciliate-blue (Anthene seltuttus) and Samphire Blue (Theclinesthes sulpitius) from the Karumba-Normanton district in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria. In most cases these records bridge the apparent substantial gaps in geographical range between the ‘Top End’ of the Northern Territory and Cape York Peninsula of northern Queensland. Given that our knowledge of the Gulf Country is still relatively incomplete and the region is a frontier for field biology and biogeographical research, a basic inventory of butterflies and other insects of the region should be a high priority.