Papilio nireus belongs to a group of subspecies thought to have evolved from one species, called
the Nireus Species Group with 15 members.
   Their pattern is black with green bands and spots. 
   These butterflies, although called swallowtails, with the exception of Papilio charopus and Papilio hornimani, do not have tails.
    When feeding on the nectar of flowers, the  African Blue Banded Swallowtails, like most swallowtails, flits from bloom to bloom, its legs just touching the flower while its rapidly vibrating wings maintain balance, just as a hummingbird would do when feeding on flowers.
     Papilio nireus flies twelve months of the year, with peaks from November to February.