Male Richmond birdwing butterfly ( Ornithoptera richmondia)
Photo © Jennifer BroomhallAims
The Richmond Birdwing Conservation Network (RBCN) is an affiliation of individuals, groups and organisations dedicated to the conservation of the Richmond birdwing butterfly (Ornithoptera richmondia) and its host plants, the Richmond birdwing vine (Pararistolochia praevenosa) and mountain aristolochia (P. laheyana). The RBCN strives to achieve this aim through establishing vine refuges, as well as creating awareness and support for conservation in the broader community.
The Network partners with other like-minded organisations and provides members with scientific-based information to cultivate and care for birdwing vines.
RBCN workshop
Photo © P Sprecher
RBCN in Action
Activities include:
- Community workshops and field days
- Restoring Richmond birdwing habitats
- Supporting scientific research
- Hands-on school projects
- Creating flagship corridors by planting vines
- Educational publications
- Removing Dutchman’s pipe vines
Host vine, Pararistolochia praevenosa
Photo © Jenny ThynneFlagship Corridors
Several sites and wildlife corridors have been identified in south-eastern Queensland that are vitally important to the survival of the Richmond birdwing vine and butterfly. These sites are in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, western suburbs of Brisbane and Currumbin area of the Gold Coast. Sites in northern NSW have yet to be determined.
Areas will be cleared of weeds, sometimes with the assistance of Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), and groups of up to 300 vines will be planted and maintained at each site.
Captive Rearing and Release Project
Pupae at David Fleay Wildlife Park
Photo © Jenny ThynneThe Network is partnering with the Queensland Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) to carry out experimental field trials to overcome in-breeding depression. Critical breeding work as part of this project is being carried out at David Fleay Wildlife Park. Successful first releases have been made in the Cootharaba area, and two other experimental sites are now active. Future monitoring is needed to determine if butterfly populations become established at these sites.
School Projects
Richmond birdwing vine trellises have been erected at two schools in the western suburbs of Brisbane. Two more are planned for the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Teachers' notes for conducting experiments are being designed, and teacher workshops will be held later in 2011. Email us to find out more about school trellises.
Get Involved
To get involved visit the RBCN website.
Publications
- Pyper, W. (2001). Changing habitat. Ecos 106: 22-25
- Pyper, W. (2002). Butterfly effect: rethinking butterfly conservation. Wildlife Australia Magazine 39(4): 14-17.
- Sands, D. (1996). Birdwing blues. Wildlife Australia Magazine 33(1): 7-9.
- Sands, D.P.A. and Scott, S. (eds) (2002). Conservation of Birdwing Butterflies. SciComEd Pty Ltd, Marsden, Qld.
- Sands, D. (2008). Conserving the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly over two decades: Where to next? Ecological Management & Restoration 9(1): 4-16
Newsletters are generally published four times per year and previous issues are available on the RBCN website.
News
Information and Resources
For more information on WPSQ's other projects, email or phone +61 (7) 3221 0194. |
