Introduction
In Africa there are about 90 known species of Papilionidae, of which 60 are placed in Papilio – a huge genus comprising of 210 species worldwide.
There are several untailed, green or blue-banded species, including nireus which has quite narrow bands on its upperside, and sosia which has wider and more bluish bands. Papilio chrapkowskoides as its vernacular name implies has broad green bands. All three species have similar undersides.
Papilio chrapkowskoides was formerly known as bromius, but a change of name was enforced after it was revealed that the name bromius was in use for another species. The butterfly is found from Sierra Leone to Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
Habitats
This is a common forest species, most commonly seen along logging roads or in secondary forest, but it can also sometimes be found in botanical gardens, arboreta and city parks.
Lifecycle
The larval foodplants include Vepris, Citrus and undoubtedly other Rutaceae.
Adult behaviour
Males commonly settle at damp patches on logging roads in groups of 4 or 5 to imbibe mineralised moisture. They are very wary and flutter their wings nervously for several minutes after settling.
Females are rarely seen but can sometimes be spotted in flight when searching for oviposition sites.
