BUTTERFLIES 
19 
THE RED ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY 
DESCRIPTION—Probably the most attractive 
of the common butterflies of New Zealand. Body, 
dark brown. Antennae (see p. 8). Wings almost 
black, each of the upper ones having two bands 
of white markings near the tip, and a red band 
nearer the body of the insect. Each of the lower 
wings has a broad band of red, dotted white and 
black, near the outer edge. 
CYCLE—Female Butterfly lays its eggs in the 
axil of a leaf near its connection with the stem 
of the plant. The caterpillars from these eggs are 
easily recognizable—black colour with red dots and 
white markings; large size; small tufts of black 
hairs along each side of the body. The pupa has 
a hard skin, and is usually suspended by tail from 
small branch or fence. 
BLUE FAIRY BUTTERFLY 
DESCRIPTION—Also called the Common Grass 
Butterfly. First name is due to its size—smallest 
butterfly in New Zealand—and blue colour of its 
wings. Most children miscall it a moth. Under 
parts of its wings are a dull grey colour, and this 
makes it almost invisible except when in flight or 
resting on a flower with light-coloured petals. 
Antennae (see pp. 9, 13). 
NOTES—On hot, sunny days it is seen in 
hundreds on the wild flowers with yellow petals, 
also on similar garden flowers. It is also fond of 
the nectar of Michaelmas daisies. On account of 
the delicate structure of its wings, it is difficult 
