Papilio ulysses

Papilio ulysses (Linnaeus, 1758)
PAPILIONIDAE
Mountain Blue

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

Papilio ulysses
(Photo: courtesy of Karen Doyle, Townsville)

This species is presumably named after the Ancient Greek hero Ulysses/Odysseus, who had an epic journey home after engaging in the siege of Troy.

(Photo: courtesy of Jan MacDonald)

The caterpillars of this butterfly are green with light coloured markings and a pair of white horns on the tail.

(Photo: courtesy of Jan MacDonald, Queensland)

In the wild they feed on the new growth foliage of the jungle trees :

Fuzzy Lemon Aspen ( Acronychia vestita ),

Silver Ash ( Flindersia bourjotiana ),

Glasswood ( Geijera salicifolia ),

Kerosine Wood ( Halfordia kendack ),

Yellow Evodia ( Melicope bonwickii ),

Pink Princess ( Melicope elleryana ),

Little Evodia ( Melicope rubra ),

Northern Euodia ( Melicope vitiflora ),

and they will also accept the foliage of:

Oranges, Lemons, etc. ( Citrus species ),

all of RUTACEAE.

(Specimen: courtesy of Tony Craft, Coffs Harbour Butterfly House)

The pupa is normally suspended by cremaster and girdle from the foodplant. It has a length of about 4 cms.

(Photo: courtesy of Gary Fortington, Yungaburra)

The wings of the adults have metallic blue upper surfaces, with black borders. Underneath they have a brown pattern. The butterflies have a wingspan of about 10 cms. They feed on nectar, especially from the flowers of:

Lantana ( Lantana camara, VERBENACEAE ).

( Australia Post, 1998)

( Australia Post, 2003)

( Australia Post, 1981)

The males are especially attracted to blue objects, even from a distance of 30 metres. Collectors often exploit this by using a piece of blue paper or cloth to attract the butterflies.

Natural posture, showing underside.
(Photo: courtesy of Gary Fortington, Yungaburra)

Various races of the species are found in

Indonesia,

Papua New Guinea, and

the Solomons,
as well as

the subspecies joesa in northern Queensland.

The live butterflies in the rainforest along the tropical north-east coast of Australia are a popular tourist attraction, and set (dead) specimens are popular wall attractions. The butterfly is the symbol of the Dunk Island Resort.

(Pictures: courtesy of Kraft and Instant Scratchies)

This species is featured at Coffs Harbour Butterfly House. Butterflies of this species may be purchased for release at weddings etc.

( Australia Post, 1998)