Name/Title
Blue Mountain ButterflyEntry/Object ID
2004.4.1Description
Description: The Ulysses butterfly (Papilio ulysses), also known as the Blue Mountain Butterfly, or the Blue Mountain Swallowtail is a large Australian swallowtail. The Ulysses butterfly has a wingspan of about 14 cm (5.5 inches). It lives in northeastern Australia along the coast of Queensland. It inhabits tropical rainforest areas and suburban gardens. The Ulysses butterfly's favorite food plant is the Pink Flowered Doughwood, Melicope elleryana, a tree with clusters of small pink flowers growing straight out of the branches. The upperside the wings are an iridescent electric blue; the underside is a more subdued black and brown in colouration. The colours are produced by the microscopic structure of the scales.[1]
The female of the species is different from the male in that she has little crescents of blue in the back sections of her hind wings. When the butterfly is perched the intense blue of its wings is hidden, helping it to blend in with its surroundings. When in flight the butterfly can be seen hundreds of metres away as sudden bright blue flashes. This butterfly is used as an emblem for Queensland tourism.
Males are strongly attracted to blue objects which they mistake for females. Females favour small trees up to 2 metres tall to lay their eggs.Collection
Suomynona Butterfly CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2004.4Source or Donor
Suomynona Butterfly CollectionAcquisition Method
DonationOther Name
Papilio UlyssesLocation
Location
* Untyped Location
Mentzer Hall, MH-11Category
ExhibitMoved By
Jillian Mather KettleyDate
May 1, 2025Notes
Update locationCategory
PermanentMoved By
Scott LonganDate
October 29, 2009
