Mocker Swallowtail

Afrikaans name: Na-aperswaelstert

Mocker Swallowtail butterfly

Photo © Steven Herbert

Papilio dardanus

The Mocker Swallowtail is a really beautiful butterfly. It is a large butterfly that may have a wingspan of 10 cm. It is variable in colour with differences between male and female as well as the different seasons.

The Mocker Swallowtail occurs in a narrow band from the south of the country through to Kruger National Park.

It may be found on the edges of forests as well as in parks and gardens.

They can be seen all year round although they are absent from the southern portions of their range in winter.

References and further reading

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 338

Living Butterflies of Southern Africa - Volume 1 - Author: G.A. Henning et al - Published: 1997 - Page: 213

Pocket Guide - Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker & Charles Griffiths - Published: 2015 - Page: 126

Insectopedia - Author: Erik Holm - Published: 2017 - Page: 23

Ivor Migdolls Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Ivor Migdoll - Published: 1987 - Page: 233

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 399

Gardening for Butterflies - Author: Steve Woodhall & Lindsay Gray - Published: 2015 - Page: 99

Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths and Alan Weaving - Published: 0 - Page: 376

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2020 - Page: 370

Field Guide to Butterflies of South Africa - 1st edition - Author: Steve Woodhall - Published: 2005 - Page: 350

Familiar South African Butterflies - Author: Clive Quickelberge - Published: 1986 - Page: 52

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 76

Butterflies of the Western Cape - Author: A.J.M. Claassens - Published: 2005 - Page: 62

Butterfly Gardening in South Africa - Author: Jill Reid - Published: 2000 - Page: 49

Butterflies of the Kruger National Park - Author: Johan Kloppers and the late Dr. G. Van Son - Published: 1978 - Page: 6

Butterflies of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Mark Williams - Published: 1994 - Page: 25

For more info: De Wets Wild

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