{{Short description|Species of butterfly}} {{Italic title}} {{Speciesbox | name = Tailed emperor | image = Polyura pyrrhus sempronius female.jpg | image_caption = Mounted female | taxon = Polyura sempronius | authority = (Fabricius, 1793) | synonyms = * ''Charaxes sempronius'' <small>Fabricius, 1793</small> }}

'''''Polyura'' (''pyrrhus'') ''sempronius''''', the '''tailed emperor''', is a large butterfly by Australian standards, with a wingspan of some 75&nbsp;mm for males and 85&nbsp;mm for females.<ref name=bg/> The uncommon but widespread<ref name=braby/> butterfly occurs in a variety of habitat types<ref name=braby/> in northern and eastern Australia, where it occurs predominantly in the warm and subtropical coastal regions. It is a resident species where its food plants, certain legumes (Mimosaceae and Caesalpiniaceae) and kurrajongs, are native.<ref name=braby/>

==Description== ===Larva=== The green, mature caterpillar is unique among Australian butterflies. A yellow line runs along each side, and the back is marked by one or more crescent shapes. The green head has two pairs of long horns besides a smaller set behind the head-scale.<ref name=bg/>

===Adult=== The upperside is boldly marked in black and white, with narrow blue-grey margins, and specks of orange on the hindwings. The prominent double-pointed tails gives the butterfly its name. The underwing of both sexes are marked in complex patterns of red and yellow brown, against on a white background, bordered by black outlines and an orange edge to the hindwing.<ref name=bg/>

==Range== Though formerly limited to northern and eastern Australia, it expanded its range during the 1970s. It may now be found in southern New South Wales, Victoria and eastern South Australia,<ref name=braby>{{cite book |last=Braby |first=Michael F. |title=Complete Field Guide to Butterflies of Australia |url=https://archive.org/details/The_Complete_Field_Guide_to_Butterflies_of_Australia |year=2004 |publisher=CSIRO Publishing |isbn=0643090274 |page=[https://archive.org/details/The_Complete_Field_Guide_to_Butterflies_of_Australia/page/n184 174]}}</ref> but it is not permanently established.<ref name=braby/> Its residence in the southern regions depends on mild winters, and availability of their food plants.<ref name=bg>{{cite web |title=Tailed Emperor |url=http://www.butterflygardening.net.au/PDFs/factsheets/TailedEmperor.pdf |work=Butterfly Gardening, fact sheet |publisher=butterflygardening.net.au |accessdate=10 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328152148/http://butterflygardening.net.au/PDFs/factsheets/TailedEmperor.pdf |archive-date=28 March 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was first noted in Adelaide in 1973, where it remains rare.

==Food plants== The larval food is the foliage of certain native and introduced tree species. The native species include wattles, Illawarra flame-tree, lacebark or white kurrajong, kurrajong<ref name=bg/> and ''Celtis'' species,<ref name=braby/> while the black locust or false acacia is an exotic species that is also favoured.<ref name=bg/> Adults may feed on the sap of trees, rotting fruit and moisture from dung.<ref name=bg/><ref name=braby/>

==Habits== These fast, strong flyers are mostly seen in the dry season.<ref name=braby/> Males frequent hilltops, and establish territories, by perching head down, some 3&nbsp;m up in trees, while they move the hindwings move up and down.<ref name=braby/> Two or more generations may be produced annually.<ref name=braby/>

==Gallery== <gallery> Image:Polyura_pyrrhus_sempronius_egg.jpg|{{center|Egg}} Image:Polyura_pyrrhus_sempronius_larva1.jpg|{{center|Larva}} Image:Polyura_pyrrhus_sempronius_larva2.jpg|{{center|Later instar larva}} Image:Polyura_pyrrhus_sempronius_larva3.jpg|{{center|Later instar larva}} Image:Polyura pyrrhus sempronius pupa.jpg|{{center|Pupa}} Image:Tailed_emperor_butterfly.jpg|{{center|Emerging from chrysalis}} Image:Tailed emperor.jpg|{{center|Tailed emperor}} </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q7227126}}

Category:Polyura Category:Butterflies described in 1793 Category:Butterflies of Australia