Western Emperor Swallowtail

Scientific Name
Papilio menestheus
DRURY, 1773
Specie in
Family
Western Emperor Swallowtail
Papilio menestheus, Bobiri, Ghana – Adrian Hoskins

Introduction

There are about 90 known species of Papilionidae in the continent of Africa of which 60 are placed in Papilio – a huge genus comprising of 210 species worldwide.

Papilio menestheus is distributed from Senegal to Cameroon.

Habitats

This is a common species found in good quality forest, but it does not occur in open habitats.

Lifecycle

The eggs are laid singly on the leaves of the foodplant Fagara (Rutaceae).

Adult behaviour

Males often settle on damp ground to imbibe mineralised moisture, especially in the dry season, but both sexes are more commonly seen when visiting flowers.

More on this topic

Butterfly of
Scientific Name
Papilio menestheus
by
DRURY, 1773
Family
SubFamily
PAPILIONINAE
Tribe
PAPILIONINI
SubTribe
N/A

Related Species