Graphium macleayanum

Macleay's Swallowtail at Quaama, NSW

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Identification history

Graphium macleayanus

25 Feb 2020

FionaG

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User's notes

I think it is a Macleay's Swallowtail.

3 comments

JackieMiles wrote:

25 Feb 2020

Yep, looks to be missing the "tails" on the hindwing, maybe from bird attack or wear. Buddleia seems to be a good garden plant for bringing in the butterflies, and other insects too to judge by your most recent sightings.

FionaG wrote:

26 Feb 2020

Yes, it's a wonderful plant in terms of mass insect attraction. I have seen these butterflies before but never with the tails. Is it possible that only the males (or females) have the tails?

JackieMiles wrote:

27 Feb 2020

Hi Fiona, Nope, according to our butterfly book both sexes have a tail on the hindwing. But it would be pretty vulnerable to getting worn off I imagine, being longish and narrow. Don't think we've seen them at Brogo for quite a few years now. What always feels weird about this butterfly is seeing it up in the Snowy Mtns, as they have rather a tropical look, but I have seen them up there several times. Larval food plants include some local rainforest trees as well as the weed Camphor Laurel and cool temperate rainforest tree Southern Sassafras, which is sparsely present in valleys up in the Snowies.

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