NOW: Papilio demodocus PUPAE

Often known as the Citrus Swallowtail, African Swallowtail, or Christmas Swallowtail, Papilo demodocus is a large butterfly native to most of sub-Saharan Africa. Caterpillars feed on plants in the Citrus family, including fruit trees and Choisya, among many others. Young caterpillars are disguised as bird droppings, whilst the final instar is bright green in colour - when threatened, they produce a forked, orange-coloured structure from the head known as the osmeterium. This releases a smell and gives the caterpillar the appearance of a small snake, both deterring predators. When mature, swallowtail caterpillars produce an upwards-facing pupa, secured to a branch or flat surface with silk. P. demodocus is a member of the Papilio demoleus clade - a group of evolutionarily related species -