Wednesday 12 March 2008

DAINTY SWALLOWTAIL

Papilio anactus

(Also known as the Dingy Swallowtail or Small Citrus Butterfly.)

I first noticed this butterfly hovering, then landing on my tallest lemon tree.

It spent some time feeding on Salvia microphylla (Huntington Red)





Last night, I saw a Lesser Wanderer (Danaus chrysippus) at about 6pm but wasn't able to get a photo. Hopefully, it will return sometime today.

3 comments:

Gaye said...

hi Junior Lepid,

the Dainty Swallowtail is certainly a beauty. I have been fortunate to observe the pupating of this species in my garden:

http://hvbackyard.blogspot.com/2007/02/6-pupating-caterpillar.html

Cheers
Gaye

Junior Lepid said...

Hello Gaye,

They certainly are a nice butterfly. Apparently, they don't weather so well - thus the "Dingy" name.

I will certainly check out your pupating caterpillar!

At the moment, I am only seeing one specimen of the butterflies I'm currently recording. If there are others around, then hopefully, I will find eggs on one of my citrus.

Junior Lepid said...

I should edit before sending! :)

I meant "others" of the Dainty Swallowtail.