Chequered Swallowtail showing upper wings. Male and female have similar markings.
Photo: Euan Moore.
Chequered Swallowtail showing under wings.
Photo: Euan Moore.
Scientific Name: Papilio demoleus
Family of Butterflies: Papilionidae (Swallowtails)
Other Common Names: None
Wingspan: Males 72mm, females 75mm
Local Records: The only local records for this species in iNaturalist are recent records from Newstead, Drummond and Lyonville.
Distribution: Outside our region, this species occurs in all states and territories except Tasmania. Atlas of Living Australia shows concentrations of records along the east coast from Sydney to Cairns and the north of the Northern Territory. In Victoria there are records from around Melbourne, along the Murray River and on the northern plains.
Larval Host Plants: These are members of the genus Cullen (Scurf Peas) which occur most
commonly in drier areas of inland and northern Australia where most breeding occurs.
Larval association with ants: None.
Adult Flight Times in Victoria: In Victoria this species is most often seen in spring (October/November)
and in March although it may occur at any time of the year. Across Australia most records are in
February and August/September Ref: iNaturalist.
Conservation Status:
- The Action plan for Australian Butterflies: No Conservation Significance in Australia
Other Notes: This species is mainly found in drier areas where its food plants are more common than in
Victoria. Adults are migratory. It may be abundant after wet years when movement to more southern areas may occur.
References and further reading:
Atlas of Living Australia – Papilio demoleus, Chequered Swallowtail
iNaturalist Australia – Papilio demoleus, Chequered Swallowtail
Braby, Michael F., Second edition 2016. The Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia. CSIRO Publishing
Field, Ross P., 2013. Butterflies: Identification and Life History. Museum Victoria