The Montrouzier’s Ulysses Butterfly (Papilio montrouzieri) is a large insect in the family of swallowtail butterflies.

The Montrouzier’s Ulysses Butterfly has iridescent electric blue wings with brown-black edges. It has forked hind (back) wings. Its underside is brown-black. The female has crescent-shaped blue markings on her hind wings. Its body is brown-black with long antennae.

Its wingspan is 10-14 centimetres (4-5.5 inches).

The Montrouzier’s Ulysses Swallowtail Butterfly is native to New Caledonia. It prefers tropical rain forests. 

The adult butterfly sips nectar from flowers, whereas the caterpillar (the larvae stage) eats plant leaves. 

The female lays eggs on leaves. The eggs hatch into caterpillars after 3-6 days. The caterpillars eat leaves and after 12-22 days they undergo metamorphosis and change into pupae, which are casings. This stage is 8-22 days.

A casing is called a chrysalis. The adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis. 

The adult butterfly lives for 4-6 days. 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM