Mocker - _TNY_4414
This swallowtail is a male which only come in one form, but the females of this species appear in at least fourteen diferent colour forms, mimicking different unpalatable species as a form of protection against predation.
That's why it is quite fitting that the species has several diffent English names. Say hello to the mocker swallowtail (Papilio dardanus), also known as the African swallowtail, mocker swallowtail and flying hankerchief.
The last name makes more sense when you see one of the white forms the female can have - though I haven't gotten a shot of one of those (yet).
Mocker - _TNY_4414
This swallowtail is a male which only come in one form, but the females of this species appear in at least fourteen diferent colour forms, mimicking different unpalatable species as a form of protection against predation.
That's why it is quite fitting that the species has several diffent English names. Say hello to the mocker swallowtail (Papilio dardanus), also known as the African swallowtail, mocker swallowtail and flying hankerchief.
The last name makes more sense when you see one of the white forms the female can have - though I haven't gotten a shot of one of those (yet).