Physical

Physical Characteristics Home

Butterfly

It is one of Australia’s biggest butterflies. .

· Females are larger than males, but not as colourful.

· Females have a wing span of 10 to 18cm.

Males inside forewings are velvety black and brilliant green and out side wings are blue-green and sometimes have yellow spots.
Females are very different in colour being black or Smokey grey with white marking which are dusted with black and some yellowish markings.
Both males and females have a yellow and black abdomen and red patches on throat.
Adult butterflies live 4-5 weeks.

Caterpillars

Caterpillars are dark brown with several rows of dark spines tipped with yellow. They grow to about 6 cms

Pupa

Pupa attaches to stem or leaf by what looks like a thread. Usually green with black spikes on abdomen. About 4 cms long.

Eggs

Eggs are pale green and spherical. Laid singly, usually on leaf of foodplant.

Images

http://www-staff.mcs.uts.edu.au/~don/larvae/papi/rich.html