Papilio ulysses

Blue Mountain Swallowtail

Basic Information

General information

Family: Papilionidae
Sub Family: Papilioninae
Estimated Lifespan 14 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 0
Total Number of Pupae Received: 67
First Flown On: 03/03/03
Last Flown On: 06/04/13

Species Range:

  • Australia

Host plants:

  • The larvae are known to feed on a variety plants including Euodia elleryana and Euodia bonwickii (Corkwood)

Food Source

Adults can be found nectaring on a variety of flowers.

Etymology Of Name

The genus Papilio is Latin for butterfly. The species Ulysses derives from the Roman version of the Latin name Odysseus, a character in ancient Greek literature.

Habitat

The Blue Mountain Swallowtail is found in tropical rainforests where they spend most of their time in the canopy.

Life history

Females lay their eggs individually on the underside of the host plant. After hatching the larvae feed on the host plant until they are ready to pupate, usually in a different location on the same tree they were feeding from.

Flights

There are multiple generations each year making it possible to find adults year round with the highest number from February to May.

Fun Facts

Male Blue Mountain Swallowtails are known to be highly attracted to the color blue. In the wild it is possible to entice males down from the canopy with a shiny piece of blue paper or metal .