Blue Mountain Swallowtail butterfly - Papilio ulysses ulysses
Blue Mountain Swallowtail butterfly - Papilio ulysses ulysses
Papilio ulysses ulysses, also known as the Blue Mountain Swallowtail, is a spectacular butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It stands out for its bright blue coloring and is found in eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Description
Wingspan: Up to 14 cm.
Colouration : Bright, iridescent blue on the upper side of the wings, edged with black. The underside is a mixture of brown and black with blue sickles on the edge of the hind wings.
Habitat: Tropical rainforests where the host plants of the genus Aristolochia grow.
Behavior: The butterflies fly fast and high, but come down to collect nectar. The males are attracted to blue and violet colors.
Reproduction: Females lay eggs on the leaves of the host plants. The caterpillars have an osmeterium for defense and feed on the leaves of the host plants.
conservation
Although the Blue Swallowtail is not currently considered endangered, deforestation and habitat destruction threaten its habitat. Conservation measures are important to preserve its habitat and preserve the species for future generations.