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Ptunarra Brown (Oreixenica ptunarra)

The Ptunarra Brown Butterfly is a small, orange-brown butterfly endemic to Tasmania, where it occurs in central parts of the island. Its Poa-dominated grassland habitat, including grassy sedgeland, is important to consider where works may alter native vegetation.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Tasmania, Threatened Species Protection Act 1995: Endangered.

Seasonal planning

Active for three to four weeks in late February to April.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Adult activity: Active for three to four weeks in late February to April.

Identification: Appearance

A small butterfly with brown and orange colouring.

A small butterfly with brown and orange colouring.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

The species is endemic to Tasmania, with colonies recorded across central Tasmania. Its range includes the Central Plateau, the Steppes, eastern highlands, southern midlands and north-west plains.

The species is endemic to Tasmania, with colonies recorded across central Tasmania. Its range includes the Central Plateau, the Steppes, eastern highlands, southern midlands and north-west plains.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

It occurs in Poa-dominated native grassland and is also found in woodland, grassy shrubland and sedgeland. Many known sites are above 400 m and have dense tussock-grass cover.

It occurs in Poa-dominated native grassland and is also found in woodland, grassy shrubland and sedgeland. Many known sites are above 400 m and have dense tussock-grass cover.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Poa grasses, including Poa labillardierei, P. rodwayi and P. gunnii, are identified as important larval food plants.

Poa grasses, including Poa labillardierei, P. rodwayi and P. gunnii, are identified as important larval food plants.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Threats: Threats

Threats include stock grazing, conversion of native grassland to exotic pasture or plantations, predation by European wasps, and inappropriate fire regimes. Overgrazing and frequent fires can reduce the cover of preferred Poa grasses.

Threats include stock grazing, conversion of native grassland to exotic pasture or plantations, predation by European wasps, and inappropriate fire regimes. Overgrazing and frequent fires can reduce the cover of preferred Poa grasses.

Threats: Works risk

Land clearing or development that converts native Poa grassland to pasture or plantations can remove habitat, and forestry operations may affect colonies where they overlap suitable habitat. Grazing and fire associated with land management can also reduce preferred grass cover.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

Targeted field surveys have been used to confirm the species’ presence in grasslands and sedgelands.

Survey methodology: 2. Commonwealth guidance

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the on-ground surveys and data for referred actions under the EPBC Act, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 3. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations: Woodland

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

It occurs in Poa-dominated native grassland and is also found in woodland, grassy shrubland and sedgeland.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: TAS.

Habitat use: general

Vegetation associations: Shrubland

It occurs in Poa-dominated native grassland and is also found in woodland, grassy shrubland and sedgeland.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: TAS.

Habitat use: general

Vegetation associations: Tussock grassland

It occurs in Poa-dominated native grassland and is also found in woodland, grassy shrubland and sedgeland.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: TAS.

Habitat use: general

Vegetation associations: Wetland or sedgeland

It occurs in Poa-dominated native grassland and is also found in woodland, grassy shrubland and sedgeland.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: TAS.

Habitat use: general

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Design the footprint, timing and access to avoid known or likely habitat, and brief crews on what to look for and who to call.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Fence or mark habitat to be retained and keep machinery, stockpiles and spoil out of it.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Reinstate disturbed ground with local species, return logs, rocks and litter, and control weeds and erosion until the site is stable.

Sources