Cressida cressida - BirdForum Opus

The Clearwing Swallowtail feeds on the Native Dutchmans Pipe, Aristolochia thozetii, and other members of the Aristolochia family. Unfortunately they also will lay eggs on the introduced Dutchman's Pipe ( Aristolochia elegans). When hatched the larvae will not survive if they feed on its leaves. The forewings of the adult butterflies have black veins, with a black area around the base. The females have a black spot on each forewing. The males have two black spots on each forewing. The forewings are otherwise transparent. The hind wings are black with a white band across each one. They each have a red spot on top, and an arc of red spots underneath. In this way it mimics other Australian Swallowtails. Various races of this species have been recognised in Indonesia, New Guinea, and in Australia in New South Wales and Queensland