Long Proboscis, Pt. 2 - _TNY_0324
The females of the common mormon (Papilio polytes) can be one of several colour forms. Most of them mimic other, unpalatable species to avoid predation, but one, Papilio polytes f. cyrus, look just like the males (which only come in one flavour).
So this one with the impressive proboscis drinking water from the floor at the Haga Ocean butterfly house in Solna, Sweden, is either a female of that form - or a male. I can't tell them apart.
Part 1 isn't the exact same specimen, but one 30 cm / 12" to the side - but that one had it's wings up so you can see the beautiful underside better here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/54050005003/
Long Proboscis, Pt. 2 - _TNY_0324
The females of the common mormon (Papilio polytes) can be one of several colour forms. Most of them mimic other, unpalatable species to avoid predation, but one, Papilio polytes f. cyrus, look just like the males (which only come in one flavour).
So this one with the impressive proboscis drinking water from the floor at the Haga Ocean butterfly house in Solna, Sweden, is either a female of that form - or a male. I can't tell them apart.
Part 1 isn't the exact same specimen, but one 30 cm / 12" to the side - but that one had it's wings up so you can see the beautiful underside better here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/54050005003/