Fauna
Insect

Swordgrass Brown

Tisiphone abeona

Also known as Variable Sword-grass Brown

Swordgrass browns patrol sun-dappled forest clearings and gully floors with an erratic, bobbing flight, rarely straying far from the protection of dense sedges. Striking blue-pupiled eyespots on both wing surfaces startle potential predators, while regional populations exhibit remarkable clinal variation in the hue of their forewing bands. Females deposit spherical eggs singly on the razor-sharp leaves of swordgrass, providing immediate sustenance for the nocturnal, camouflaged caterpillars.

EndemicEyespotsWoodland
Swordgrass Brown reference1 / 7
(c) Andrew Allen, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Andrew Allen · cc-by
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyRed-fruit saw-sedge, Eucalyptus nectar, Tree sap
Predators
  • Grey fantail
  • Orb-weaver spiders
  • Praying mantis
ThreatsHabitat clearance, draining of wetlands, and frequent bushfires that burn out sedge patches.
HabitatsWet sclerophyll forests, rainforest margins, coastal heathlands, and swampy gullies.
Life span9–12 months across all stages; adults survive 2–4 weeks.
Classification
  1. FamilyNymphalidae
  2. SpeciesTisiphone abeona
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Location: Walk along moist forest gullies or creek margins where large Gahnia sedges form dense thickets.
  • Timing: Look for adults on sunny mornings when they warm themselves on open foliage with outstretched wings.
Related species
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