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Dusky Knight (Ypthima arctous)

Dusky Knight
Upperside. (Ingleburn, NSW, 13 / 03 / 2010)

Appearance: Upperside dark brown with double-centred eyespot on the fore wing and single eyespot on the hind wing. Underside similar, but base colour lighter brown.
Wingspan: 3 cm
Season: Several generations all around the year.
Range: Northern and eastern Australia; from the northern NT across eastern QLD and eastern NSW.
Habitat: Open forest and woodland with grassy understorey.

Notes

This small and inconspicuous species is easily overlooked. The Dusky Knight occurs throughout northern and eastern Australia in open forest and woodland with a grassy understorey. The butterflies are usually fairly common and can often be found resting in the vegetation or on the ground where they are well camouflaged. As with many Satyridae, they are quite alert and difficult to approach.

Additional Photos

Dusky Knight
The upperside is dark brown with a conspicuous double-centred eyespot on the fore wing. (Ingleburn, NSW, 13 / 03 / 2010)
Dusky Knight
The underside has the base colour lighter brown, but otherwise looks similar. (Glenbrook, NSW, 19 / 02 / 2011)
Dusky Knight
The butterflies often rest near the ground where they are well camouflaged. (Ingleburn, NSW, 13 / 03 / 2010)
Dusky Knight
The eyespot on the hind wing underside can be very small and inconspicuous. (Ingleburn, NSW, 13 / 03 / 2010)