Ulysses butterfly

Appearance

The Ulysses butterfly typically has a wingspan of about 14 cm, but depending on subspecies has some variations in size.
The upperside of the wings are an iridescent electric blue; the underside is a more subdued black and brown. The colours are produced by the microscopic structure of the scales.

The female of the species is different from the male in that she has little crescents of blue in the back, upside sections of her hind wings, where there is only black for males. When the butterfly is perched the intense blue of its wings is hidden by the plainer brown under side of its wings, helping it to blend in with its surroundings. When in flight, the butterfly can be seen hundreds of metres away as sudden bright blue flashes. Males are strongly attracted to the colour blue, including blue objects which are sometimes mistaken for females.

Naming

"Ulysses" is the Roman name for the Greek hero, "Odysseus", a character in ancient Greek literature, the central character of Homer's "Odyssey".

Distribution

The Ulysses butterfly is endemic to a portion of northeastern Australia and is also found in other places alike; New Guinea, the Moluccas, Bismarck Archipelago and northwestern Solomons.

Status

The Ulysses butterfly inhabits tropical rainforest areas and suburban gardens. It is protected by the Australian government, although the species is not endangered. In the past, this butterfly had been threatened but planting Pink Flowered Doughwood has increased its numbers. Reduction in the number of the Euodia trees, a tree heavily used for laying eggs and for leaves eaten by caterpillars, may threaten the survival of this butterfly. Females favour small trees up to 2 metres tall to lay their eggs.

Food

Foods for this butterfly include: kerosene wood, a variety of citrus plants, and Euodia. In Australia, the Ulysses butterfly's favorite food plant is the Pink Flowered Doughwood, a tree with clusters of small pink flowers growing straight out of the branches.