Butterflies

Common Lime Butterfly

Papilio demoleus

The Common Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus), also known as the Lime Swallowtail or Lemon Butterfly, is a widespread and highly adaptable butterfly species native to Asia and Australia. Key Characteristics Tailless Swallowtail: Unlike most swallowtail species, it lacks the signature "tails" on its hindwings, giving its wing margins a smooth, rounded edge. Distinctive Appearance: Features a black upper wing surface patterned with cream-yellow bands and spots, accompanied by a blue-and-red eyespot near the base of the hindwing. Agricultural Impact: The larvae feed heavily on Citrus plants (lime, lemon, orange), making them a notable pest in agricultural orchards and domestic fruit gardens. Bird Dropping Camouflage: Young caterpillars look strikingly like fresh bird droppings to fool predators, only turning bright green with brown bands in their final caterpillar stage. Rapid Flight & Habitat: Fast and erratic flyers, they are commonly seen mud-puddling near moist soil, in open fields, and around citrus groves across South and Southeast Asia.