Entomology Corner - Tailed Emperor noteworthy?

[Christian Fricker <>]

Hi Susanne,
 
Looks to be a male as the females tend to be larger.  I tend to see a few each summer over most areas of Canberra.  This year I have not seen any more Tailed Emperors than usual although it would not surprise me if there have been.  This species relies on warm winters for the pupae to survive, as they are generally found in warmer climates.  They are a species that like to hill top.  I have seen them almost every summer at the top of Mt Majura.  There have been quite a number of unusual vagrants this summer, the Blue Triangle being quite exceptional!  Today in Gungahlin I spotted a Chequered Swallowtail which in the ACT I generally only see within Namadji.  There has also been more Glasswing butterflies than I have ever seen. 
 
Cheers,
 
Christian
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Date: Fri, 25 Mar 2011 02:53:13 +0000
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Subject: [canberrabirds] Entomology Corner - Tailed Emperor noteworthy?

Hi all.

I intervened in nature this morning when I "rescued" a Tailed Emperor from the cold and shady side of the road and let it warm up in the sun. (Well, that also gave me an opportunity to marvel at its beauty, take a photo and id it later in a book.) 

It already looked a bit end of season with 3 legs, tails and other parts of the wings missing.

Is it noteworthy? The books say it's more of a stray in these parts of the country and though widespread it's "uncommon". 

Where there more than usual after this seemingly butterfly rich summer?

Cheers, Susanne

I assume it's a male. The topside of the body was mainly dark/black. The top 2 segments of my finger are 5cm long. I find it hard to transfer this to the wingspan.

The black tip of the top wing is my shadow.