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(Graphium aristeus)
Butterfly populations are a very good indicator of the health of an area's ecosystem !!
   Graphium aristeus is protected by law in India.
   Their prefered terrain is rainforest, humid deciduous forest,evergreen forest, streams and rivers.
   Warm and dry conditions with little to no wind are ideal for spotting them on wing, as they are more likely to be active and visible in this kind of weather.
   They are known for their strikingly vibrant color patterns that serve as a deterrent to predators.
   Their forewings are yellowish. The outer part of the wing is dark brown and contains a thin yellow strip. Four dark brown stripes dominate the wing.         Next to the body there is a dark brown area. The ventral side of Graphium aristeus is very similar to the dorsal side.
   The hindwings are yellowish and they have long tails. The edges are wavy. The outer part of the wing is dark brown and contains a chain of yellow spots. The inner edge is dark brown. In the middle of the wing there is a dark brown strip. The ventral side is very similar to the dorsal side, but a chain of red spots dominates the wing.
   Their bodies are black, and the thorax and  head are also black.
   The underside of all parts is yellow.
   They are not a poisonous, but they have a special gland that secretes bad smells and chemicals as a means of protection.
   As do most butterflies, they contribute to pollination largely incidentally while searching for nectar to consume.
   As they move from flower to flower, their bodies come into contact with pollen, which is then transferred to the next bloom they visit.
   
Chain Swordtail.png
Diet: Caterpillars feed on plants in the Soursop family (Annonaceae) such as: Tracey's Cherry 
(Miliusa traceyi), Canary Beech (Polyalthia nitidissima), and Yellowwood (Pseuduvaria
froggattii).
Diet: Adults are attracted to nectar rich flowers such as Lantana, jatropha, ixora, hibiscus, and poinsettia, and males are known to mud puddle to get need salt and other nutrients.
Wingspan: approx. 5  - 12 cm  / 1.97  - 4.72 “
Family: Papilionidae
Chain Swordtail caterpillar
The single biggest threat to butterfly survival is habitat destruction!!
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