Macleay's Swallowtail Moth

Description:

It is a large (12+ cm wingspan) nocturnal species – though it can be sometimes found in the daytime; and it habitually perches upside down (see the second picture).

Habitat:

This species is found through the island of New Guinea (PNG & Irian Jaya) and also occurs somewhat rarely in Northern Australia. This specimen was found at night attracted to light on the campus of Pacific Adventist university near Port Moresby, PNG.

Notes:

The species was named in 1856 after one of the Macleay family, either Alexander Macleay 1767-1848, William Sharp Macleay 1792-1865, or William John Macleay 1820-1891. Their natural history collection formed the basis of the Macleay Museum at the University of Sydney. There is a page with information on the Macleay family: http://sydney.edu.au/museums/research/ma...