About Graphium macleayanus (Leach, 1814)
This species is Graphium macleayanus, commonly known as Macleay's swallowtail. The caterpillar reaches a maximum length of 4 cm. The pupa is green and marked with thin yellow lines. Adult females have a wingspan of 59 mm, while adult males have a wingspan of 53 mm. The upperside of the wings is green with white markings and black edges. The underside of the wings is a deeper green, with black, brown and white markings. The hindwings have prominent tails. Macleay's swallowtail is one of the most widely distributed swallowtail butterflies in Australia, occurring in eastern Australia across the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Tasmania. It is the only swallowtail species found in Tasmania. The species has also been recorded on Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island, but there have been no sightings there since 1893. Its habitats include urban areas, forests, woodlands, and heath.
