Among the colourful visitors to my garden recently was this beautiful female Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly, (Papilio aegeus). This species is also known as the Large Citrus Butterfly because of the preference of its larvae for feasting on citrus leaves. The butterfly feeds on the nectar of plants, particularly lantana. This one however was resting on a flower-laden choko vine.
The Orchard Swallowtail Butterfly is found in Eastern Australia, ranging from Victoria to Cape York and into PNG. Its usual habitat is lowland rainforest, dry eucalypt woodlands, orchards and suburban gardens so it is not common to see one here in Paluma. The female lays eggs on the underside of leaves of host trees and the eggs hatch a week later. The larvae are patterned in green, brown and a creamy colour and look remarkably like bird droppings: no doubt an excellent camouflage from potential predators.
The female with a wing span of about 105 to 110 mm is slightly larger and more colourful than the male but both attract attention when fluttering through the garden. This butterfly is sometimes considered a pest because of its habit of feeding on citrus leaves in suburban gardens.
Text and photo by Colwyn Campbell