Graphium macleayanus
| Graphium macleayanus | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graphium macleayanus, male |
||||||||||||
| Systematics | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Graphium macleayanus | ||||||||||||
| ( Leach , 1814) |
Graphium macleayanus is a butterfly that occurs in Australia and belongs tothe family of the knightly butterflies (Papilionidae) and the subfamily of the swallowtails (Papilioninae). The species was named in honor of Alexander Macleay .
features
butterfly
The wingspan of the moth is on average 50 to 60 millimeters. In individual cases, 80 millimeters can also be achieved. There is little sexual dimorphism between the sexes . Females and males have very similar drawing elements. The upper sides of both pairs of wings is in the basal and the Diskalregion light green and in the Postdiskal- and Submarginalregion black. A number of white spots run within the submarginal region, but only on the forewings in females. On the front edge of the forewings, two large green spots stand out in both sexes. The drawings on the upper sides shine through on the underside. The light green or black areas on the front are colored green or brown on the underside. There is a long black tail extension at the anal angle . The legs of the moth are green.
Caterpillar
Adult caterpillars have a green color, are thickened at the front, there are provided with short tubercles and taper towards the end. The entire surface of the body is covered with small whitish dots. In order to deter predators, they are able to turn out an orange-yellow osmaterium .
Similar species
- Graphium weiskei is distinguished by the pink color of the basal region on the upper side of the forewing . Since the species onlyoccursin New Guinea , there is no geographical overlap with Graphium macleayanus .
- Graphium stresemanni is distinguished by the blue color of the basal region on the upper side of the forewing. Since the species is endemic to Seram , there is no geographical overlap with Graphium macleayanus in this case either.
Distribution, subspecies and habitat
The species occurs with the following subspecies in the Australian area:
- Graphium macleayanus macleayanus , in eastern Queensland and New South Wales
- Graphium macleayanus moggana , in Victoria and Tasmania
- Graphium macleayanus insulana , on the Lord Howe archipelago to the east of mainland Australia . However, no further evidence was provided there after 1893.
Graphium macleayanus primarily inhabits rainforests.
Way of life
The moths fly in the Australian summer months from August to April. While the females visit flowers to take in nectar, the males prefer to suckle on the ground on moist places in the earth in order to absorb liquids and minerals. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of Monimiengewächsen (Monimiaceae), laurel family (Lauraceae) or Winteraceae species.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Origin of the name
- ↑ wingspan
- ↑ Graphium weiskei for comparison
- ↑ Graphium stresemanni for comparison
- ↑ Markku Savela: Graphium Scopoli, 1777 - distribution. In: Lepidoptera and some other life forms. Retrieved April 9, 2018 .
- ^ Occurrence on Lord Howe Island
- ↑ Food plants
Web links
- Lepiforum e. V. - Graphium macleayanus in the Lepiforum
- learnaboutbutterflies - Macleay's Swallowtail at Butterflies of Australia