The caterpillar (larva) is initially green, white and brown and resembles bird droppings. A mature caterpillar has a dark brown head, a green body with some pale yellow and brown markings, and spines along its back.
The male butterfly (adult) is black with an arc of creamy-white spots near the tip of each forewing. Each hindwing has a creamy-white patch and a single red spot, and there are many red crescents on its underside.
The female butterfly is brown to black, and the outer half of its forewing is whitish-grey. Its hindwing has a creamy-white patch, as well as a series of blue and red crescent-shaped markings.
Size
Caterpillar up to 6 cm long; Butterflies 10 – 12 cm wingspan.
Behaviour
Diet
The caterpillar eats the leaves of many plants, particularly citrus and native species from the Family Rutaceae; it prefers to eat young leaves but large caterpillars will eat older leaves. The butterfly feeds on nectar from a variety of plants, particularly lantana.
Movement
If disturbed, a caterpillar will reveal a red-orange “tentacle” (known as the osmeterium) from behind its head which emits a foul smell to deter predators.
Flight
Generally slow and erratic unless disturbed, and females fly more slowly during the egg-laying period. The males tend to “patrol” flight paths.
Breeding
Females lay eggs on the underside of host leaves, and the eggs hatch one week later.
Field Guide
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