Blue Mountain Swallowtail butterfly - Papilio ulysses ulysses

Papilio ulysses ulysses, also known as the mountain blue swallowtail, is a spectacular butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It stands out particularly for its bright blue color and is found in eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Description

Wingspan: Up to 14 cm.
Coloration : Bright, iridescent blue on the upper side of the wings, bordered by black. The underside shows a mixture of brown and black with blue crescents on the edge of the hindwings.
Habitat: Tropical rainforests, where the host plants of the genus Aristolochia grow.
Behavior: The butterflies fly fast and high, but come down to collect nectar. The males are attracted to blue and purple colors.
Reproduction: Females lay eggs on the leaves of host plants. The caterpillars have an osmeterium for defense and eat the leaves of the host plants.

conservation

Although the mountain blue swallowtail is not currently considered endangered, deforestation and habitat destruction threaten its habitat. Conservation measures are important to preserve its habitat and preserve the species for future generations.