Macleay's Swallowtail Moth
Common NameMacleay's Swallowtail Moth
Scientific NameLyssa macleayi
FamilyUraniidae
SubfamilyUraniinae
Wingspan (mm)85
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsdark brown, black, white
HabitatRainforests, wet sclerophyll forests
Geographic RangeNortheastern Australia (Queensland)
Host PlantsEndospermum myrmecophilum, Endospermum medullosum
Flight PeriodYear-round (more common in warmer, wetter months)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; larvae are gregarious and feed on specific host plants, typically species of Endospermum, before pupating and emerging as adult moths.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its large size, dark wings with a single broad white stripe, and the prominent swallowtail-like tails on the hindwings. Often active during the day, resembling a butterfly.
Description
A large, striking moth with dark brown to black wings, prominently marked with a broad, contrasting white band across both forewings and hindwings. The hindwings feature distinctive, swallowtail-like tails.
