Swallowtail butterflies are some of the most beautiful wildlife residents of our tropical Australian forests. Many of the tropical butterflies found (or seen) in our tropical rainforests are known as swallowtails. These beautiful wildlife species have tails attached to their hind wings. They usually also have spectacular colour patterns on their wings. Some of the larger swallowtails are known as birdwings, and fly in a gliding, then flapping pattern that reflects the sunlight off their wings...just amazing to see!
Swallowtails lay a single egg under a leaf, and the caterpillar, when it hatches out is usually fat, with coloured spines to protect it against predators. After going into the pupal stage, some species will remain in this state for several months, while others hatch in a much shorter time. When hatched these beautiful butterflies find a favored perch, then flutter about gathering nectar from nearby flowers. Various vines and rainforest plants are used by swallowtails. Adults feed off the nectar in the flowers, while caterpillars feed off different plants, some which are poisonous to their predators.
Unlike birdwatching, when one has to up "with the birds", the best time of the day to watch some wildlife, including butterflies, is in the afternoon when the sun is warm. .Some birdwings range from the tropical North down to Victoria but most favor the warm tropical rainforests of Queensland. Getting a photo is sometimes a challenge, but patience and perseverance will usually pay off. *WPAA
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