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Scientific Name: Papilio cresphontes
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Diet: Caterpillars feed on citrus plants, prickly ash and hop trees. Adults feed on nectar from lantana, azalea, bougainvillea, bouncing bet and swamp milkweed.
Vegetation Association: Trees and herbs in the citrus family, prickly ash, and hop tree. They are found in rocky or sandy hillsides near streams or gullies, in pine flats, towns, and citrus groves.
Predators: Birds.
Life Stages: Complete metamorphosis; egg, larva, pupa, adult.
Notes: Young caterpillars feed and shed their skin, or molt. The final molt produces the pupa, and then the butterfly rests. Once free of the chrysalis, fluid from its body is pumped into its wings, the wings then are allowed to dry before it flies away to look for food and a mate. They are known as Orange Dogs to citrus farmers because of their destructive habits. To defend themselves against birds they extend a reddish osmeterium (a fleshy organ) that releases foul smelling pheromones. The larvae are also camouflaged to resemble bird droppings. Males patrol for receptive females.
Photo: To be added.
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