Johann Fabricius acquired the first specimens of this species from Joseph Banks, who collected them at the site of present-day Cooktown in 1770.

The caterpillars occur in several colour forms and possess yellow osmeteria that release a sweet smell.

The caterpillars generally consume their entire food plant, and must travel along the ground to find another one.

There is evidence that females have attempted to counter this strategy by evolving remarkably broad genitalia that makes it more difficult for sphragides to remain in place.

The black border encloses a series of red spots, whose size and number can vary; a warning colouration found in most butterflies that utilise the toxic Aristolochia as a larval food plant.

This colouration is most intense immediately after the butterfly emerges, but soon fades and renders the wing almost totally transparent.

Papilio anactus is a Batesian mimic of the male of this species in both appearance and style of flight, to achieve the same predator avoidance.

Males tend to patrol breeding areas one to three meters above the ground in search of females, rarely landing.

[2] Females tend to fly closer to the ground in search of suitable larval food plants, and if already mated, will signal their unavailability in flight by raising the abdomen and lowering the wings to display the sphragis.