Meadow Argus - Tokelau


Three small atolls make up the Tokelau Islands; Atafu, Fakaofo and Nukunonu. John Byron, an English explorer, was the first European to step ashore on the Tokelau Islands when he landed on Atafu in 1765. The islands had been occupied by Polynesian people beginning about 1,000 years ago, but never on a permanent basis.

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Junonia villida - The meadow argus is one of about 6,000 species within the Nymphalidae family of butterflies. One of the distinctive features of the Nymphalidae family is their stance when resting; they will stand on four legs and curl the other two up towards the body. Native to Australia, the meadow argus is a common species found throughout Australia during the warmer months and year round throughout many islands in the Pacific Ocean. The brown wings have prominent blue, black and orange eyespots along the edges to deter potential predators.