Male African Swallowtail (Papilio dardanus)
The African Swallowtail (Papilio dardanus), too the Mocker Swallowtail or Flying Handkerchief, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae (the Swallowtails).
The African Swallowtail is endemic and widespread in the tropical African countries south of the Sahara Desert.
The wingspan is about 8.5 – 11.5 cm. The male is creamy white in color with velvet-like black spots on it's upper side and it has a creamy white underside with carmel colored detailing.
The males have long tails on their hind wings; the females not.
While the males maintain a typical swallowtail appearance, the females occur in over thirty different mimetic forms. The female of the species is a master of protective disguise. The female forms are remarkably diverse and mimic other butterflies, so protecting themselves against predators.
This picture was taken in the indoor butterfly garden "De Passiflorahoeve" in Harskamp, the Netherlands.
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All rights reserved. Copyright © Martien Uiterweerd. All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission.
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.
Male African Swallowtail (Papilio dardanus)
The African Swallowtail (Papilio dardanus), too the Mocker Swallowtail or Flying Handkerchief, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae (the Swallowtails).
The African Swallowtail is endemic and widespread in the tropical African countries south of the Sahara Desert.
The wingspan is about 8.5 – 11.5 cm. The male is creamy white in color with velvet-like black spots on it's upper side and it has a creamy white underside with carmel colored detailing.
The males have long tails on their hind wings; the females not.
While the males maintain a typical swallowtail appearance, the females occur in over thirty different mimetic forms. The female of the species is a master of protective disguise. The female forms are remarkably diverse and mimic other butterflies, so protecting themselves against predators.
This picture was taken in the indoor butterfly garden "De Passiflorahoeve" in Harskamp, the Netherlands.
________________________________
All rights reserved. Copyright © Martien Uiterweerd. All my images are protected under international authors copyright laws and may not be downloaded, reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without my written explicit permission.
________________________________
.
.