Invertebrates
Ulysses Butterfly
Papilio ulysses · also called blue mountain swallowtail, mountain blue
Over a clearing in a Queensland rainforest, a Ulysses butterfly flashes an electric blue with every wingbeat and vanishes into the green when it folds its wings.
Overview
The Ulysses butterfly, Papilio ulysses, is a large swallowtail of the tropical rainforests of northeastern Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. Its brilliant blue wings and flashing flight make it one of the most celebrated butterflies of the Australian tropics.
A flash of blue in the rainforest
The blue of the Ulysses butterfly is a structural colour, meaning it comes from the tiny structure of the wing scales rather than from pigment.
Status
Not Evaluated by the IUCN, though it is common in suitable rainforest.
Ulysses Butterfly: common questions
Why is the Ulysses butterfly blue?
Its brilliant blue colour is produced by the microscopic structure of the wing scales, rather than by pigment.
Is the Ulysses butterfly a swallowtail?
Yes, it is a large swallowtail in the genus Papilio.
Why does the Ulysses butterfly seem to flash?
The blue shows when its wings are open and disappears when they fold, giving a flashing effect in flight.
Where is the Ulysses butterfly found?
It lives in tropical rainforest in northeastern Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands.