Narrow-banded Swallowtail
We are delighted that Gudrun Eggenberger has taken on the sponsorship of the narrow-banded swallowtail (Papilio gallienus).
These representatives of the swallowtail family (Papilionidae) are native to the African rainforests from Nigeria in a south-easterly direction to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The black upper side of the wings, as in our male specimen with a wingspan of 9.5 cm, is typically crossed by a narrow, light yellow wing band that is broken up into oval spots in the forewing. The underside of the wings, however, is a different colour: It is similar in appearance to various butterfly species of the genus Acraea, which are well protected from predators by toxic body substances. Thanks to "mimicry", the "narrow-banded swallowtails" are also protected from predators when their wings are closed.