Chinese Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly Papilio xuthus

Chinese Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly
Chinese Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly
The Chinese Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly has heavy black markings on a pale yellow background that often looks more white or off-white than yellow. It is also called the Asian Swallowtail but another butterfly (the Great Yellow Mormon) also has than name.
Chinese Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly
Chinese Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly
Chinese Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly
It is found throughout much of the Far East and in Hawaii. Male and female butterflies can mate more than once.
Chinese Yellow Swallowtail caterpillar
Chinese Yellow Swallowtail caterpillar
Chinese Yellow Swallowtail caterpillar
Early caterpillars mimic bird droppings. The later instars of the caterpillar look artistic and snake-like, the latter to deter predators. They favour citrus plants.