Citrus Swallowtail butterfly

Afrikaans name: Lemoenvlinder

isiZulu name: Usomawolintshi Onomsila Wenkonjane

isiXhosa name: IBhadi eliMabala leSitrasi

Photo © Steven Herbert

Papilio demodocus demodocus

The Citrus Swallowtail is a common and well-known butterfly that can be found all over South Africa in suitable habitat (it avoids very dry areas).

Females can have a wingspan of up to 13 cm. Males are slightly smaller. The colouration of the male and female is similar.

Although it is most common over spring and summer the Citrus Swallowtail can be seen all year round.

The Citrus Swallowtail is found in a variety of habitats ranging from grasslands to gardens and forest edges. They are very active flyers and do not settle too often.

This butterfly is considered a pest by citrus farmers as they lay their eggs on the citrus plants. The caterpillars are green with cream underparts. There are some mottled markings on the upperside which presumably provide camouflage.

References and further reading

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 96

The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 174

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 86

The Gardener - 2018/02 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 40

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Reader s Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 338

Suburban Wildlife in KZN - Author: Dr. Jason Londt - Published: 2009 - Page: 80

Self-guided Trails in Durban - Author: Durban Corporation - Published: 0 - Page: 122

Sasol First Field Guide to Butterflies & Moths of Southern Africa - Author: Simon van Noort - Published: 0 - Page: 10

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 371

Sasol First Field Guide to Butterflies & Moths of Southern Africa - Author: Simon van Noort - Published: 0 - Page: 9

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

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

Insects of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Clarke H. Scholtz and Erik Holm - Published: 1989 - Page: 375

Ivor Migdoll s Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Ivor Migdoll - Published: 1987 - Page: 235

Living Butterflies of Southern Africa - Volume 1 - Author: G.A. Henning et al - Published: 1997 - Page: 221

Gardening for Butterflies - Author: Steve Woodhall & Lindsay Gray - Published: 2015 - Page: 78

Field Guide to Insects of the Kruger National Park - Author: Leo Braack - Published: 1991 - Page: 35

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

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

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

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

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

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: 7

Butterflies of the Western Cape - Author: A.J.M. Claassens - Published: 2005 - Page: 60

Butterflies of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Mark Williams - Published: 1994 - Page: 27

African Insect Life - revised edition - Author: S.H. Skaife - Published: 1979 - Page: 233

Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Hugo Germishuys - Published: 1982 - Page: 29

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