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Citrus Swallowtail butterfly

papilio anactus

Description:

Brightly coloured plump caterpillar that can grow to three inches long. Young caterpillars appear orange. Characteristic features of the mature caterpillar include white and yellow spots covering a dark charcoal body. There are two black setae (spines) per segment, these are visible in two rows along the back of the caterpillar. The abdominal prolegs are pronounced and the crochets are visible in the fourth photo. A bright yellow osmeterium is everted from the prothoracic segment when the caterpillar is threatened. This bright yellow organ omits pheromones with a pungent citrus odour.

Habitat:

Citrus trees, Eastern Australia.

Notes:

I save them from dad's citrus trees and put them in a glass house where they stay safe and feed on freshly picked citrus leaves. They then form pupae and emerge as dainty Swallowtail butterflies. If winter sets in, I place the glasshouse outside so the pupae can hibernate during winter and they don't emerge only to freeze to death. That way they sense the warmth of summer and emerge at the right time.

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2 Comments

DaniKisso
DaniKisso 12 years ago

Thanks Alice. They don't even really damage the citrus trees, they only eat the leaves and they grow very quickly, and they're beautiful butterflies. When I let them go I like to think that the same ones come back to lay their eggs on the same trees. I'll try and take some photos of the butterflies this year. It's rare when I get to watch them emerge but when I do I'll have my camera ready.

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 12 years ago

You are doing a wonderful service as I have large wasps that carry away some of my caterpillars and the Insect expert says bring them inside if you want to save them. Wonderful series and information.

DaniKisso
Spotted by
DaniKisso

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Spotted on Jan 24, 2010
Submitted on Aug 24, 2011

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