Graphium macfarlanei (Butler, 1877)
Green Triangle
(previously known as Papilio macfarlanei)
PAPILIONIDAE,   PAPILIONOIDEA
 
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

Graphium macfarlanei
(Photo: courtesy of Mark Hopkinson)

The caterpillar of this species is initially green. It has a humped appearance, and two small yellow spikes on its tail.

Graphium macfarlanei
(Photo: courtesy of Mark Hopkinson)

As the caterpillar ages, it develops brown markings, and finally can become totally brown.

Graphium macfarlanei
(Photo: courtesy of Mark Hopkinson)

The caterpillar is feeds on plants in ANNONACEAE, including

  • Soursop ( Annona muricata ),
  • Dwarf Ylang Ylang ( Desmos chinensis ), and
  • Biriba ( Rollinia delicosa ),

    Graphium macfarlanei
    (Photo: courtesy of Mark Hopkinson)

    The pupa is green with a blunt brown thoracic horn, and often has other brown markings.

    Graphium macfarlanei
    butterfly in flight
    (Photo: courtesy of Mark Hopkinson)

    The wings of the adults are black with pale green spots and patches, and have a span of about 7 cms.

    Graphium macfarlanei
    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

    The underside is similar, except that the underside of each hind wing has some red spots.

    Graphium macfarlanei
    upper surface
    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

    The species occurs in

  • Papua,

    and in Australia in

  • Queensland.

    Graphium macfarlanei
    (Photo: courtesy of Mark Hopkinson)


    Further reading :

    Michael F. Braby,
    Butterflies of Australia,
    CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne 2000, vol. 1, pp. 262-263.

    Arthur G. Butler,
    On a collection from Cape York and the south-east coast of New Guinea,
    Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London,
    Volume for 1877, Part 3, p. 471, No. 30.


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    (updated 28 September 2010, 10 February 2015, 7 June 2020)