Our care guide for Citrus Swallowtails can be read here!
Papilio lowi, commonly known as the Yellow Mormon, is a large and visually stunning species of swallowtail butterfly belonging to the family Papilionidae. It is native to Borneo, Indonesia, and the Philippines - known for its vibrant yellow and black coloration, marking it out among the many striking butterflies in its region. The Yellow Mormon is a large butterfly, with a wingspan ranging from 10 to 12 cm and adult female butterflies exhibit multiple striking colour forms and distinctive features, however males are always uniformly black with silver-blue striping. These female colour forms are mimetic of the toxic, distasteful red-bodied swallowtails like Pachliopta and Atrophaneura. It prefers the lowland and montane forests, often inhabiting areas near forest edges or clearings, where food sources and host plants are abundant.
Papilio lowi is an active butterfly, typically seen flying around flowering plants, feeding on nectar. Males are known to be territorial, actively pursuing females and chasing away other competing males. They often fly in search of mates, with females usually seen near their host plants, laying eggs singularly. With its striking yellow and black coloration and distinctive tail-like extensions, it is a remarkable example of the diverse and colorful species within the Papilionidae family.
The larvae of Papilio lowii feed on various plants from the Rutaceae family in the wild, particularly species of Citrus, Murraya, and Zanthoxylum, but in captivity also enjoys hosts like Choisya and Skimmia. The caterpillars of this species begin with a colouration that resembles bird droppings, until the final instar when mature larvae become green with various markings that make them resemble small snakes, as a mechanism to deter predators. When disturbed, the caterpillar releases a peculiar smell and displays protrusions from its head resembling the forked tongue of a snake - this organ is called the osmeterium and is common to most, if not all, swallowtails.
Host plants: Citrus; Choisya; Skimmia; Phellodendron; Zanthoxylum
Difficulty: Easy (1/10)
Conditions: Room temperature although enjoys warm and bright conditions.
Lifecycle: Continually brooded; adults live for up to a month.
