Clearwing Swallowtail (on Cressida Pipe-flower)

Clearwing Swallowtail

(Cressida cressida)

The Clearwing Swallowtail is found in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia. Also known as Greasy Swallowtail or Big Greasy. Butterfly of slow flight. Males patrol preferred areas in search of females, which fly lower than males in search of host plants. Found in open forests and woodlands and on rocky slopes. Wings of females are almost transparent, appearing greasy.

Host Plant:

Cressida Pipe Flower, (Aristolochia meridionalis), a slender vine with stems up 1.5 metres long.

Learn more about the Clearwing Swallowtail in the book entitled Create More Butterflies by Frank Jordan & Helen Schwencke which is available from Earthling Enterprises