Papilio alexanor

English name:
Southeren Swallowtail
Full scientific name:
Papilio alexanor (Esper, 1799)
Croatian name:
Južni lastin rep

Red Book Category in EU: LC

Red Book Category in Croatia: DD

Wings span: 50-75 mm

Papilio alexanor, Opuzen, 0521P1335
Papilio alexanor, Opuzen, 0521P1335
Papilio alexanor, Opuzen, 0521P1125
Papilio alexanor, Opuzen, 0521P1125

Flight Period and Life Cycle

Flight period of Papilio alexanor in Croatia
Flight period of Papilio alexanor in Croatia

It seems 1 brood per year. Overwinters as pupa.

Distribution in Croatia

Distribution of Papilio alexanor in Croatia
Distribution of Papilio alexanor in Croatia

Far south only. Check the included map.

External Morphology Characteristics

The antennae’s tip is white, while the upper side of the forewings has two dark stripes and two dark spots. The underside of the hindwing has a long dark stripe and a short dark stripe in the discal zone near the cell edge, with yellow veins. Two spots, one blue and one red, are located at the anal angle. The submarginal zone has a dark bluish stripe. The hindwing has a dark tail.

Behavior

Imago comes to feed with nectar at the same places at certain time intervals.

Caterpillar Host Plants

Opoponax chironium.

Habitat

On the slopes and rocky terrains with bushes. Elevations: 0-800m.

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