Table of Contents for Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio aegeus)
The Orchard Swallowtail butterfly flies in the countries of Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Its host plants include members of the Citrus genus, and many other plants. The Orchard Swallowtail flies in forests, forest edges and fields.
Taxonomy and Naming of the Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio aegeus)
Taxonomy
This butterfly was named and described by Edward Donovan, an Irish zoologist, in 1805. It is a member of the family Papilionidae and is in the subfamily Papilioninae.
Subspecies
This butterfly has many subspecies that are generally defined by location. Two of the most prominent include:
- Papilio aegeus aegeus: Australia
- Papilio aegeus ormenus: Papua New Guinea, also tends to be larger than the butterflies in Australia (Fisher 1977).
Meaning of the Scientific and Common Names
Scientific Name
The genus name, Papilio, is Latin for butterfly. The species name, aegeus, may come Greek mythology of the goatman, Aegeus (definitions.net).
Common Name
The common name likely derives from the affinity of this butterfly to citrus orchards. Another common name is large citrus butterfly.
Physical Description
Description
- Color: Black with iridescent aqua (green scales) and red coloration towards the bottom. In UV light the white coloring of the male flouresces (Rost and Hales 1988). There are three forms including a black and white, one with pale coloration, and one that is dark colored (Wikipedia).
- Wingspan: 11.5 cm (4.5 in) to 14 cm (5.5 in). The females are larger than the males.
- Active Flying Time: Adults are active between October and May in south Australia and year-round in the tropics.
Life Cycle of this butterfly
Eggs
The eggs of this butterfly are white and are laid on the uppersides of host plant leaves.
Larvae
The larvae, or caterpillars, are brown at first and later green, both with white coloration. The caterpillar tubercles running the length of the body. The coloration makes the caterpillar appear as a bird dropping to camouflage it.
Pupa
The pupa is green or brown and has placed on the stem of the host plant (australian-insects.com).
Range of the Orchard Swallowtail in Asia and Australia
These butterflies are native to the countries of Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. In Australia this butterfly is more common in the coastal areas (James 1988).
Habitat
This butterfly flies in forest and forest edges. This species may be impacted by low population and inbreeding due to loss of habitat (Orr 1994).
Host Plants
The host plants of this butterfly are many and include:
- Citrus genus (inodora and garrawayae) (Sankowsky 1991)
- Clausena brevistyla (Sankowsky 1978)
- Flindersia spp. (bennettiana (Wikipedia), iffaiana, leavicarpa, oppositifolia, pimentiana (Sankowsky 1991), australis, and schottiana (Sankowsky 1978))
- Geijera parviflora
- Halfordia kendack
- Murraya paniculata and Murraya koenigii (Sankowsky 1978)
- Poncrius trifoliata
- Melicope melanophloia (Sankowsky 1991)
- Zanthoxylum spp. (nitidum, veneficum, ailanthoides) (Sankowsky 1991)
Nectar Plants
Nectar plants for this species include generally any plant that has a lot of nectar such as (see Australian Plants online for a complete list):
- Members of the Angophora genus: a tree in Australia
- Members of the Epacris genus: a shrub
- Members of the Leucopogon genus: shrubs and small trees
- Members of the Pimelea genus: herbs and shrubs
- Members of the Leptosperma: shrubs
Frequently Asked Questions about the Orchard Swallowtail
Are the male and females of this butterfly different?
Yes. Other than the size difference the males are black and the females have a browner look (australian-insects.com). Additionally the males have blue coloration on the underside of the wing. The females show different coloration or forms among the subspecies in the espression of the white areas on the hindwings (Waterhouse 1932). These forms may be mimics of other butterflies (Lambkin 2010).
What other butterflies look like the Orchard Swallowtail?
This butterfly has been noted (Tobias Westmeier) as being is similar to the ambrax swallowtail (Papilio ambrax) and the red-bodied swallowtail (Pachliopta polydorus). However, he notes that neither has the blue markings on the wings. It is also similar to the clearwing swallowtail (Cressida cressida), but the clearwing swallowtail has fully transparent wings.
Where can I get more information on this butterfly?
Wikipedia
Australian-Insects.com
Interesting facts about this butterfly?
This is one of the largest butterflies that can be attracted to gardens in Australia (butterflyhouse.com.au).
References
- Fisher, R.H. 1977. New Guinea Butterflies – Part I. Lae. The Victorian Entomologist 7:22-25.
- James, David G. 1988. Induction of Pupal Diapause in Papilio aegeus Donovan and Graphium sarpedon choredon (C. & R. Felder) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). Australian Entomological Magazine 39-44.
- Lamblin, Trevor A. 2010. A Review of Taenaris Hubner (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Amathusiinae) in Queensland, Together with First Australian Records for T. myops kirschi Staudinger and Elymnias agondas melanippe Grose-Smith (Satyrinae). Australian Entomologist 37(3): 77-92.
- Orr, A.G. 1994. Inbreeding depression in Australian butterflies: some implications for conservation. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 36: 179-184.
- Rost, F.W.D. and D.F. Hales. 1988. Fluorescent Markings in Some Australian Butterflies. Australian Entomological Magazine 15(3): 91-94.
- Sankowsky, Garry. 1991. New Food Plants for Some Queensland Butterflies. Australian Entomological Magazine 18(1): 9-19.
- Sankowsky, Garry. 1978. Some New Food Plants For Various Queensland Butterflies. Australian Entomological Magazine 5(4): 77-79.
- Waterhouse, Gustavus A. 1932. Notes on the Australian Papilionidae. (Part I.) Papilio aegeus, Donovan. Descriptions of a new female form and two aberrations. The Australian Zoologist 7(3): 195-197.
