Animal Fact Sheets
Ulysses Butterfly (Papilio ulysses)

When flying, the Ulysses butterfly appears as sudden, blue flashes, which are difficult for predators to follow.

The When resting with wings closed, the Ulysses butterfly appears drab brown, easily blending in with its surroundings.

Breeding and Lifecycle
The males of this species are readily attracted to bright blue objects as they mistake them for females. Females prefer to lay their eggs on small trees over 2 m high, on soft regrowth foliage.

Habitat and distribution
The Ulysses Butterfly inhabits tropical rainforest areas and suburban gardens. It flies high above the rainforest canopy, landing in clearings for only a few seconds on each flower.

Diet
The Ulysses Butterfly’s favourite food plant is Euodia, Melicope elleryana, a tree with clusters of small pink flowers growing straight out of the branches. Caterpillars feed singly, usually one on each plant, and rest on a pad of silk on a leaf when not feeding.

Threats to Survival
The Ulysses Butterfly is listed as ‘common’ in Queensland. Its survival was threatened in the past but the numbers have increased as a result of plantings of the larval food plant in suburban areas.

The Ulysses Butterfly is protected, despite its common status, to regulate the numbers of these butterflies being collected.

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