Dainty butterfly takes flight

Encourage a dainty swallowtail butterfly into your backyard.

Michael Jefferies

A DAINTY visitor may be fluttering into your backyard right now.

Dainty swallowtail butterflies are common visitors to gardens in their habitat range during warm weather, right up until May each year.

The Backyard Buddies program is aiming to show people it's easy to be a buddy to these stunning butterflies with a few simple tips.

Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife CEO Steve Corbett said the easiest way to attract dainty swallowtail butterflies was with citrus plants.

"These butterflies, also known as dingy swallowtails or small citrus butterflies, absolutely love citrus including non-natives such as the humble lemon or orange tree," Mr Corbett said.

The beautiful insects have black wings spotted with white, orange and pale blue.

Mr Corbett said people could encourage them to stay around the garden by also providing nectar bearing plants and flowers for them to feed on.

"Butterflies love purple, orange, yellow and red coloured flowers."