Giant Blue Swallowtail (Papilio zalmoxis)

Caterpillar

The mature larva has a thick body, alternating in white and light brown. The juncture of the two colors has zigzag or wave-like patterns. There is also a pair of bright orange antennae atop the head.

Pupa

The chrysalis is light brown with uneven, rough marks and haphazard patterns all over. They hang with the help of one single silk thread from the branch of the host plant.

Adult Butterfly

Sexual Dimorphism: Moderately present

Color and Appearance: When the wings are open, the forewings in the male show a cyan blue coloration, with the tip of the wing and the venation being black. The hind wings are also cyan with a chain of blue spots, while the edges have a wavy pattern with dark coloration. In the female, the cyan is replaced by grayish white. When the wings are closed, the ventral surface of the forewings show a white hue, with the tip of the wing and the veins being brown, whereas the hind wings are red-brown with the edges being dark-brown, and the middle part having a white area. They also have chain-like patterns made of white spots. The veins in these wings are dark-brown. The underside of the female is the same as the male.

Average wingspan: 12–16 cm (4.7–6.3 in)

Flight pattern: Slow and erratic

Eggs

Round and whitish in color, and laid one at a time on host plant leaves