Also commonly known as Paddy Melon, Camel Melon (Citrullus amarus) was introduced to South Australia with camels in the 19th century. Though related to squash, gourds and melons, Camel Melon is not generally eaten. The fruit (approximately 8cm wide), dries into a resilient seed casing, leading to a proliferation of this plant in various harsh outback conditions, including sand dunes.
The superbly camouflaged Mallee Military Dragon (Ctenophorus fordi) in the Lyndhurst sand dunes.
Dodonaea viscosa, the Sticky Hop-bush, has winged fruits which are covered with a protective sticky resin. Sap sucking aphids feeding on these fruits are farmed by ants for their ‘honeydew’ secretions.
Chequered Swallowtail butterfly, Papilio demolius, sighted in ephemeral floodplains near Farina in the Far North Flinders Ranges.
Toward the end of the 2-4 week lifespan as an adult butterfly, fading of the wings can happen due to wear and tear, and UV bleaching, as seen in this Chequered Swallowtail feeding on an Eremophila flower in Copley.
Further information about Chequered Swallowtails can be found on the website managed by Butterfly Conservation SA.
The Large-eyed Box-owlet Moth (Grammodes ocellata), also known as the Black Triangle Moth, in Leigh Creek in early spring.
Gunniopsis tenuifolia, the Narrow-leaf Pigface, growing in sand around the Cutaway outcrop to the south of Copley, northern Flinders Ranges. They are uncommon and endemic to South Australia, growing between Leigh Creek and the Painted Desert to the north of Coober Pedy.
The Moon, Venus and Jupiter formed a triangular conjunction in the crisp Flinders Ranges dawn sky on August 20th, 2025.
Woolly Anacampseros (Anacampseros australiana) growing in Buckaringa Gorge in the southern Flinders Ranges. Also observed growing on the rock faces of Mambray Creek.
Caterpillars of the Wood White Butterfly (Delias aganippe) seen in various stages of pupation in Leigh Creek in midwinter.
