Page 63 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Papilionidae
DISTRIBUTION Northeastern Australia (Queensland and Northern Territory),
New Guinea, and Solomon Islands
HABITAT Rain forests and wet upland areas
HOST PLANTS Doughwood (Melicope spp.) and Citrus spp.

NOTE Well-camouflaged caterpillar that becomes a spectacular
blue adult
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but quite common in its range

ADULT WINGSPAN
4–4¼ in (100–110 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2⅜–2⁹∕₁₆ in (60–65 mm)
PAPILIO ULYSSES
ULYSSES SWALLOWTAIL 61

LINNAEUS, 1758

Ulysses Swallowtail caterpillars hatch from eggs laid singly,
or occasionally in groups of two or three, on the young growth
of host plants or on the underside of mature leaves. The larvae
prefer to feed on young foliage and are often found on the
regrowth produced after a tree has been felled or the branches
cut. They feed singly, and there is usually only one per plant.
When not feeding, the caterpillar rests on a silk pad attached to
the upper side of a leaf. It feeds only on adjacent foliage.

Natural enemies, including predators, parasitoids, and diseases,
strongly regulate this species. Just prior to pupation, the
caterpillars are particularly vulnerable to parasitic wasps. Adults
in fl ight are an impressive sight, the brilliant blue upper side
visible as a series of bright blue flashes in sunlight. Breeding

continues throughout the year but is most abundant during
the wet season.

The Ulysses Swallowtail caterpillar is dark
green, becoming paler green laterally with a
series of small, blue subdorsal and dorsolateral
spots. The rst abdominal segment has a broad,
white, transverse dorsal band speckled with
minute green spots. The remaining abdominal Actual size
segments each have two variably sized, white
dorsal spots. The head is pale green.