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Mocker Swallowtail

(Papilio dardanus)

PHOTO: Mocker swallowtail butterfly
Native to: 

Most of sub-Saharan Africa, including Madagascar

Plant Association: 

Larvae feed on calodendron, clausena, citrus, fagara, and plants in the Rutaceae family.

Interesting Fact: 

The male mocker swallowtail is monomorphic, meaning it has only one distinct look, while the female is polymorphic and can assume up to 14 different looks. The butterflies that the female mimics do not have tails, and are unpalatable or poisonous to birds.

Photograph by: 
Bill Bishoff