Papilio demolion demolion - Cramer 1776    The Banded Swallowtail

Species details: A very swift flyer, found around the tops of trees, though it will come down to feed on Lantana or Ixias. As far as is known, this species has not been found 'puddling', unlike most other Papilionids.

This is not a common species on the Island, and can normally only bee seen singly. Whilst, primarily a species of the forest, it does venture out into garden to feed.

A unique habit of this species is to lay its eggs in a long string. When the larvae hatch, instead of eating the entire eggshell, as with most other members of this family, it only eats part, so keeping the string in place.

Early Stages       : More detailed life history information is available from the following resources: S. Igarishi - Life Histories of Asian Butterflies, Volume.1 , Page 286.

Ovae                                                            Larva (final instar)                                                            Pupa

All photos ©Khew SK

Larval Foodplant : Citrus sp., Luvunga scandens and Acronychia pedunculata (all Rutaceae)

Range                   : From Burma to Sundaland and Lombok