African Swallowtail

African Swallowtail

We are delighted that Dr Doris Bell has taken on the sponsorship of the African Swallowtail (Papilio dardanus).

The males of this species from the swallowtail family (Papilionidae) are - like our "godchild" - whitish in colour and have the typical tail appendages. The females, on the other hand, come in over 100 (!) different forms. They mimic a large number of inedible species from the Acraeinae and Danainae (Nymphalidae) subfamilies and enjoy effective protection from predators thanks to this "mimicry". As most female forms also lack the tail appendages on the hind wings and are often smaller than the males, it is often impossible to tell the difference between females and males in this species.

The butterflies are found south of the Sahara in rainforests, savannahs and also in settlement areas. The common trivial name "Flying Handkerchief" refers to the cream-coloured males, which are characterised by an oscillating flight that is quite slow for swallowtails.