Dainty Swallowtail

Dainty Swallowtail

(Papilio anactus)

The Dainty Swallowtail butterfly is very widespread in eastern Australia. It is Australia’s smallest Swallowtail butterfly. Originally only found in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, due to the growing of citrus trees (a food plant for this species caterpillars), it has spread to South Australia. Also known as Dingy Swallowtail or Small Citrus Butterfly.

Host Plant:

Native Finger Lime, (Citrus australasica), a large shrub to a small tree up to 6 metres high. This plant can also host the Orchard Swallowtail and Fuscous Swallowtail butterflies which is also depicted on this sign.

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