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Papilio demodocus
Papilio demodocus, also known as the citrus swallowtail, is a large swallowtail butterfly common to sub-Saharan Africa. It is a pest species, the caterpillar feeding on citrus trees. Adult butterflies have black and yellow markings with red and blue eyespots. Female butterflies tend to be larger than males.
This series of photos was taken on my second visit to the Butterfly Pavilion in Denver, Colorado. Couldn't resist going again!
thanks bayucca, I learn't a lot about these 2 butterflies. wouldn't feel confident to make an ID though!
My focus was on the underside, which is in Demoleus mor "whitish" than in Demodocus and yours. But I must admit, that comparing the open wing shots of both, Demodocus and Demoleus is very difficult. Not to forget, that they come from a completely different corner of the world! Demodocus from Africa and Demoleus from the Indian subcontinent and Australasia. Besides Demoleus is now also found in the Caribbean and Central America to the surprise of the butterfly freak there...
bayucca, it looks identical to these photos
http://www.treknature.com/gallery/Oceani...
http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Afr...
in this one
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au...
there is a blue spot on the mid wing that is missing on my spotting, and the lower red spot is missing the blue dot on top. So I think you have the right ID!
I must admit this was a tricky one. Very similar to Papilio demoleus. The partly hidden under part let me think it is Demodocus not Demoleus. The open wing shot are almost identical besides the size and arrangement of some spots. Please, verify anyway.
Spotted on Aug 31, 2012
Submitted on Aug 31, 2012
+1
