Emerald Swallowtail

Appearance

''Papilio palinurus'' has a wingspan reaching about 8–10 centimetres . The dorsal sides of the wings are covered by a powder of green scales and the background vary from dark greenish to black, with broad bright emerald green metallic bands. The undersides are black with orange, white and blue spots along the edges of hind wings, that show extended tails at the end.

The flight of these butterflies is swift and quite fast. Caterpillars feed on plants of genus ''Euodia'' belonging to the Rutaceae, commonly known as the rue or citrus family.

Naming

There are several subspecies .

⤷  ''Papilio palinurus palinurus'' – Burma, Malaysia Borneo
⤷  ''Papilio palinurus auffenbergi'' – Indonesia
⤷  ''Papilio palinurus nymphodorus'' – Island of Basilan
⤷  ''Papilio palinurus adventus'' – Island of Nias
⤷  ''Papilio palinurus daedalus'' – Philippines
⤷  ''Papilio palinurus angustatus'' – Island of Palawan PhilippinesThe genus name Papilio comes from the Latin word ''papilio'' meaning butterfly. The species name ''palinurus'' derives from ''Palinurus'', the name of the pilot of Aeneas's boat in the Latin epic poem, written by Virgil.

Distribution

This species can be found primarily in South East Asia, particularly in Burma - Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, Indonesia , Basilan, Island of Nias, Philippines .

Habitat

''Papilio palinurus'' lives in Asian primary forests.