Lime Butterfly
Image: TamilSibi (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common NameLime Butterfly
Scientific NamePapilio demoleus
FamilyPapilionidae
SubfamilyPapilioninae
Wingspan (mm)90
Wing Patternspotted
Primary Colorsblack, yellow, cream, red
HabitatGardens, orchards, open country, urban areas, agricultural lands
Geographic RangeAsia, parts of Oceania, introduced to the Caribbean and Central America
Host PlantsCitrus spp., Murraya koenigii, Aegle marmelos
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, multiple broods
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae are initially bird-dropping mimics, later turning green with white markings. Pupae are typically green or brown, camouflaged as twigs or leaves.
Identification TipsKey features include the distinctive black and yellow/cream chequered pattern, the absence of tails on the hindwings (unusual for a swallowtail), and the prominent red and blue eyespot on the hindwing tornus.
Description
A medium-to-large black swallowtail butterfly with numerous irregular cream or yellow spots and markings across both forewings and hindwings, featuring a prominent red and blue eyespot on the hindwing tornus.
