Citrus Swallowtail Papilio demodocus demodocus (100-130mm)
Male and female similar.
Found throughout South Africa.
Can become a pest for citrus farmers.
Young caterpillars are camouflaged to look like bird droppings.
Caterpillars are also equipped with a gland called an osmeterium which resembles a snakes forked tounge. When threatened, It flicks the tongue-like organ which gives off a pungent citrus smell. Larval stage feeds on citrus trees.
Male and female similar.
Found throughout South Africa.
Can become a pest for citrus farmers.
Young caterpillars are camouflaged to look like bird droppings.
Caterpillars are also equipped with a gland called an osmeterium which resembles a snakes forked tounge. When threatened, It flicks the tongue-like organ which gives off a pungent citrus smell. Larval stage feeds on citrus trees.
Mocker swallowtail female (model Layman)
Mocker Swallowtail Papilio dardanus cenae (80-110mm)
Male and female differ in coloration.
Females mimic different species of butterflies.
Friar - hippocoonides and Natalica
African Monarch - Trophonius and aikeni
Chief - Cephonius
Layman - Cenea
Found in Eastern parts of South Africa and into the Western
Cape.
Larval stage feeds on citrus trees.
Male and female differ in coloration.
Females mimic different species of butterflies.
Friar - hippocoonides and Natalica
African Monarch - Trophonius and aikeni
Chief - Cephonius
Layman - Cenea
Found in Eastern parts of South Africa and into the Western
Cape.
Larval stage feeds on citrus trees.
Mocker swallowtail male
Green-banded Swallowtail Papilio nireus lyaeus (75-95mm)
Male and female similar.
Found in Eastern parts of South Africa and down into the Western Cape.
Male and female similar.
Found in Eastern parts of South Africa and down into the Western Cape.
Emperor Swallowtail. Papilio ophidicephalus (90-120mm)
Male and female similar.
South Africa's largest butterfly.
Not as widespread as most other Swallowtails.
Larval stage feeds on several trees which include Clausena anisata.
Male and female similar.
South Africa's largest butterfly.
Not as widespread as most other Swallowtails.
Larval stage feeds on several trees which include Clausena anisata.
