Insects Active during the day

Big Greasy

Cressida cressida

iNaturalist Wikipedia

The Big Greasy is a one-of-a-kind swallowtail known for its unique, see-through wings. A slow-flying beauty of the Australian tropics, it brings a touch of translucent elegance to any backyard garden.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Wingspan 70–80 mm (2.75–3.15 inches); body length approx 40–50 mm (1.5–2 inches)

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Colors

Males have creamy-white forewings with two large black spots and red spots on the body. Females have brownish-grey, translucent wings that appear 'greasy.'

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Key Features

Translucent or 'greasy' wing appearance, especially in females
Two prominent black spots on the male's forewings
Slow, low-to-the-ground fluttering flight
Red markings on the abdomen and wing bases

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 9 AM - 3 PM

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Season October - May

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Diet Adults are generalist nectar feeders, while larvae are specialists feeding exclusively on Pipevines (Aristolochia species).

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Habitat Open eucalyptus forests, tropical woodlands, coastal scrub, and suburban gardens with host vines.

public Geographic range

Where Does the Big Greasy Live?

The Big Greasy is a tropical specialist native to the Australasian region. Its primary range covers northern and eastern Australia, particularly throughout Queensland, the Northern Territory, and the northern reaches of Western Australia. Beyond the Australian mainland, it is commonly found across New Guinea, the Maluku Islands, Timor, and several surrounding islands in the Indonesian archipelago.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

4 Countries

2.5M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

AU Australia

Marginal

Papua New Guinea

Marginal

ID Indonesia

Marginal

Timor-Leste

Marginal

eco

iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Big Greasy is a distinctive member of the swallowtail family, named for the unique, scale-deficient wings of the female which give them a translucent, oily appearance. Unlike many fast-flying butterflies, the Big Greasy has a slow, somewhat erratic flight pattern, often staying within a few meters of the ground. This slow pace is a signal of their toxicity; like many other Troidine swallowtails, they sequester bitter chemicals from their host plants as caterpillars, making the adults unpalatable to birds.

One of their most fascinating social behaviors involves the mating process. After mating, the male Big Greasy secretes a large, parchment-like structure called a sphragis that hardens on the female's abdomen. This 'mating plug' physically prevents other males from mating with her, ensuring his genetic legacy. While they are generally solitary foragers, you may see several individuals congregating around a particularly nectar-rich flowering shrub in a suburban backyard.

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Camera Tips

To capture high-quality images of the Big Greasy, focus your camera efforts on 'nectar stations.' These butterflies are highly attracted to brightly colored, sun-drenched flowers such as Lantana, Ixora, and native Bottlebrush. Position your camera at a height of 0.5 to 1 meter (2-3 feet) above the ground, as this species tends to fly lower than other swallowtails. A side-on angle is best for capturing the male's wing spots, while a slightly elevated angle can highlight the female's translucent wing texture.

Lighting is crucial for this species. To emphasize the 'greasy' or transparent quality of the wings, try to position your camera so the sun provides backlighting. When the light shines through the wings, the lack of scales becomes strikingly apparent in photos. Early to mid-morning is the ideal time for setup, as the butterflies are active but often pause for longer periods to feed and warm their bodies before the intense midday heat.

If you want to guarantee a visit, the best 'lure' is the native Pipevine (Aristolochia pubera). Planting this vine in your garden will attract females looking to lay eggs. Place your camera near the fresh growth of these vines. Use a fast shutter speed or 'Sports Mode' on your AI camera; even though their flight seems slow, their wing beats are rapid and can easily blur in standard settings. Avoid using flash if possible, as the reflective nature of their 'greasy' wings can cause harsh glares that wash out the red body markings.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Big Greasy.

Red-bodied Swallowtail

Features similar red body markings but has fully opaque, black-scaled wings unlike the Big Greasy's translucent ones.

Clearwing Butterfly

While also transparent, true Clearwings are typically much smaller and belong to the Nymphalidae family, lacking the swallowtail wing shape.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Big Greasy butterflies are most active during the day, particularly during the warmest hours between 9 AM and 3 PM when the sun is high and they have enough thermal energy for flight.

The most effective way to attract them is to plant their larval host plants, specifically native Pipevines (Aristolochia), and provide plenty of nectar-rich tropical flowers like Lantana or Pentas.

As adults, they drink nectar from various flowers to sustain their energy. As caterpillars, they eat only the leaves of the Aristolochia vine, which makes them toxic to predators.

Yes, they are very common in suburban areas of Queensland and Northern Australia, especially in gardens that favor native plants and avoid heavy pesticide use.

Look for the 'greasy' or transparent look of the wings. Most swallowtails have thick scales that make their wings opaque, but the Big Greasy (especially the female) looks like it is made of thin, oily parchment.

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