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The single biggest threat to butterfly survival is habitat destruction!!
Papilio zelicaony is a testament to the beauty and complexity of nature.
They also play a crucial role in pollination, contributing to the health of their habitats and the survival of various plant species.
They enjoy a robust population across their widespread habitats, making them a common yet remarkable sight in various landscapes.
Their slow, erratic flight patterns equate to a unique aerial dance that is captivating to onlookers.
Their prefered terrain is fairly open country and they are most likely to be seen on bare hills or mountains, in fields or at the roadside.
They are often seen in towns, frequenting gardens and vacant lots.
Both the upper and lower sides of their wings are black, but the dorsal wing has a broad yellow stripe across it, giving the butterfly an overall yellow appearance.
There are striking blue spots on the rear edge of the rear wing, and the characteristic tails of the swallowtails.
When their wings are unfurled, the dorsal surface of the forewings shines in a primary yellow hue, edged with black bands that echo on the hind wings.
The secondary wings feature yellowish orange to red eyespots near the tails, each with a black pupil, and a predominantly yellow anal cell.
The ventral side reveals a fainter mimic of the dorsal patterns when the wings are closed, maintaining the butterfly’s allure from every angle.
As adults, there are no noticeable differences between males and females, allowing for a uniform appreciation of their beauty.
They have one flight yearly, from April - July.
Sadly, their adult life span is only from 6 to 14 days.

Diet: caterpillars preferred host plants are from the Carrot, Apiaceae, Parsley, and Citrus families.
Diet: the adult dietremains largely unspecified, highlighting an area for further study.
Avg. Wingspan: 5.2 – 8.0 cm / 2 – 3.1 “
Family: Papilionidae

The single biggest threat to butterfly survival is habitat destruction!!
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