18 Australian Geographic
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT
In Brisbane’s west, communities spanning generations come
together to help save one of our endangered butterfl y species.
STORY BY FIONA MCMILLAN
Adult male Richmond birdwings
have shimmering wings of black
and bright emerald green and
spend much of their brief lives
fl uttering among the treetops,
looking for mates. Females have
a subdued patterning of brown,
white and yellow.