
Dainty Swallowtail Butterfly - late instar
This is a photo of the same caterpillar in the previous spotting but about 8 days later. It was about 3.5 cms long. The fleshy spikey outgrowths were persistent and the dark body showed small pale blue spots. The bright yellow colouring had become duller. The caterpillar was seen more active at night feeding on the leaves of this native finger lime plant.

"Papilio anactus" is a medium-sized butterfly from the family Papilionidae, that is endemic to Australia. For protection against predators, this non-poisonous butterfly mimics the poisonous male "Cressida cressida", another swallowtail butterfly that obtains its toxic properties through its host plant, the Dutchman's pipe.