Four-barred Swordtail
Protographium leosthenes
Also called Fourbar Swordtail, Swallow-tailed Fanny
The Four-barred Swordtail (Protographium leosthenes) is a butterfly found in Australia, in the family Papilionidae, the swallowtails and birdwings. This site lists 2 subspecies: Protographium leosthenes geimbia and Protographium leosthenes leosthenes. Its caterpillars are known to feed on 3 plants: Melodorum leichhardtii, Melodorum rupestrum and Desmos wardianus. This page has 12 photos of its life cycle (early instar caterpillars, final instar caterpillars, pupae and adults) by Bob Miller. Bob Miller wrote about it in his book, Bob's Butterflies.
Subspecies
- Protographium leosthenes geimbia no photos yet
- Protographium leosthenes leosthenes 12 photos
Life cycle of the Four-barred Swordtail
Four-barred Swordtail caterpillars (early instar)
-
Side view -
Top view
Four-barred Swordtail caterpillars (final instar)
-
Side view -
Top view -
Side view -
Top view
Four-barred Swordtail pupae
-
Side view -
Top view
Four-barred Swordtail adults
-
Male, upperside -
Male, underside -
Female, upperside -
Female, underside
Photos by Bob Miller. Free to use for any purpose (CC0). Select a photo to enlarge it or download the original. Using these photos. Add your own photo of this butterfly.
In Bob's book
Bob wrote about this butterfly in his book:
- Four-barred Swordtail page 8
Caterpillar food plants
3 known food plants.