A kaleidoscope of colour has enveloped parts of north Queensland as the region revels in a butterfly boom.
The explosion in numbers has caught the eye of scientists encouraged by the increase.
It flies in the face of fears in recent years that the iconic Ulysses butterfly may be dying out.
"One of the species we are seeing a large increase in numbers is the Ulysses," said James Cook University senior botanist at the Queensland Herbarium, Ashley Field.
"A couple of years ago people were starting to become concerned that their numbers were down but their numbers are definitely up."
The Cassowary Coast, Cairns, and the Tablelands are teeming with the beautiful insects with prime weather conditions behind the boom.
Dr Field said consecutive years with reasonable wet seasons had created an ideal environment for butterfly-attracting plants to thrive.
"It's been a very good season for many different species of butterflies. One of the reasons for that is that we've had quite a long wet season, it started early and it's still going."
Even with rainy conditions clearing, Dr Field predicted the boom could continue for quite some time.
"Because their food plants will continue to grow, many will get another generation in. So you will notice there will be more egg laying going on the next few days," he said.
Unexpected impacts of the weather
Dr Field said the weather had some unusual impacts on the pattern of butterflies in recent years.
The tawny coaster butterfly migrated from India to the north at the same time as Cyclone Debbie in 2017.
"Their migration is related to climatic events and availability of food plants, so it can be different in different areas but they tend to move around," Dr Field said.
Researchers are also preparing for the migration of the blue tiger to Magnetic Island after record numbers were seen in 2020.
"So the same individual lives almost a year and flies one way [to the Whitsundays, Magnetic Island, and Palm Island] and back again.
"They are remarkable creatures."
Apollo jewel under threat
But not all species are thriving. Climate change and habitat loss have taken a toll.
The Apollo jewel, traditionally found in paperbark forests between Cairns and Cardwell, is reliant on ant house plants as a food source.
It's quite an uncommon butterfly and unfortunately, it doesn't seem to respond in the same way [as the thriving species].
"I've not seen big numbers of it in any of the years where we see big numbers of other butterflies, and that's quite concerning."
Robin Cruse has dedicated many years to working with the winged beauties at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary.
She said habitat destruction, seen as cities grow, was of real concern but said she was encouraged by the resurgence of the Ulysses.
"The butterflies are the ambassadors for the insect world and we know from around the world the insects are definitely suffering," Ms Cruse said.
Ms Cruse said the community had an important role to play in preserving the butterflies' future in the long term through reintroducing plants into their gardens.
"Each different species of butterfly caterpillar has its own specific plant or group of plants they feed on," she said.
"If they are lucky they will have a wide range of plants.
"Often smaller butterflies will feed on smaller, insignificant plants that we all look at as weeds."
As for the best place to spot a butterfly over the coming weeks?
"A lovely sunny, high spot is a good spot for finding butterflies, where the conditions are right for them," Ms Cruse said.
"That's when they tend to congregate."
