Woodlands Historic Park Insects

Dingy Swallowtail  (Papilio anactus) at Woodlands Historic Park
Dingy Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio anactus) at the summit of Gellibrand Hill, late Dec.

Wingspan: 70 mm

The caterpillars of this butterfly feed on plants in the citrus family. No such plants occur naturally in Victoria, but the butterfly is common wherever citrus has been planted. In summer a male can usually be circling the summit of Gellibrand Hill waiting for a mate, and they have also been seen on the edge of the park adjacent to Providence Road.

Classification

from Australian Faunal Directory

Order Lepidoptera - Moths and Butterflies, 10855 named species in Australia
Family PAPILIONIDAE - Swallowtails, 21 species in Australia
Genus Papilio (8 Species in Australia)
Species Papilio anactus