Dainty Swallowtail Papilio anactus
Wingspan: 67mm-72mm
 
This lovely smaller Swallowtail prefers to feed on either native Citrus species or the many introduced Citrus. It also feeds on Geijera parviflora (Native Willow) which mostly grows in the drier country of western NSW. 

The Dainty Swallowtail is similar to the Orchard Swallowtail butterfly but is smaller. They are an infrequent visitor to our garden and are attracted to lay eggs on the new growth on our Citrus trees.​
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Female Dainty Swallowtail laying an egg on a new lemon tree leaf, 11 Nov 2007 12.00 pm
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A female laying eggs on our mandarin tree, 20 Feb 2017 3.45 pm
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During its brief stop to feed this butterfly kept fluttering its wings, 20 Feb 2017 2.40 pm
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Flying in to lay eggs on lemon tree leaves, 11 Dec 2007 12.02 pm
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Final instar Dainty Swallowtail caterpillar, 16 Nov 2015
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Final instar Dainty Swallowtail caterpillar on Finger Lime in Bellingen, 29 Nov 2015 (Photo Phil Gilmour)
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Dainty Swallowtail preparing to pupate (pre-pupa stage), 2 Apr 2017
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Dainty Swallowtail pupa Bellingen, 26 Mar 2011 (Photo Phil Gilmour)
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Dainty Swallowtail pupa clearly showing the web cremaster (girdle), 15 Apr 2017
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A Dainty Swallowtail second pupa, 15 April 2017
Dainty Swallowtail Papilio anactus
Wingspan: 67mm-72mm

Distribution:  Cooktown, FNQ down the East Coast to Adelaide, SA.

Butterfly Sightings:   
  • CLAIRE COTTAGE:  Oct 2006, 2009, 2012,  Nov 2005, 2006, 2017,  Dec 2007, 2010,  Jan 2004, 2015,  Feb 2001, 2002, 2011, 2017,  Mar 2002, Apr 2001
  • Elsewhere on DORRIGO PLATEAU: Occasional sightings.

Larva Sightings:
  • CLAIRE COTTAGE:   Dec 2007, Jan 2002, 2004, 2008,  Feb 2004,  Mar 2017
  • Elsewhere on DORRIGO PLATEAU: None to date

Larval food plants:
  • CLAIRE COTTAGE: 
  • RUTACEAE - Citrus australasica,  C. limon*,   C. sinensis*
  • Elsewhere on DORRIGO PLATEAU: (as for Claire Cottage)

  • ELSEWHERE: (as for Dorrigo Plateau plus)
  • RUTACEAE - - Citrus australis, C. garrawayae, C. glauca, C. inodora, Geijera parviflora, C. paradisi*, C. reticulata*,  Limonia acidissima*, Poncirus trifoliata*
 
Breeding season on the Dorrigo Plateau:  Thought to be October to April

Status Dorrigo Plateau:  uncommon

Flight habit: Throughout the day.

Habitat: Wide distibution in Eastern Australia since the spread of cultivated Citrus trees.

Items of Interest: This species is endemic to Australia.