Fauna
Insect

Dragon Swallowtail

Sericinus montela

Also known as Sericinus Swallowtail

Dragon Swallowtails exhibit striking sexual dimorphism, with males featuring creamy-white wings trimmed in black and crimson while females display an intricate network of dark brown and yellow bands. Their delicate hindwings extend into long, elegant tails that flutter noticeably during their low, undulating flight through sunny glades. Caterpillars sequester bitter toxins from birth by feeding exclusively on birthwort vines, granting adults natural protection against predators across East Asia.

SwallowtailDimorphicEast Asian
Dragon Swallowtail reference1 / 2
(c) Jiao Sun (孙娇), some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAristolochia vine leaves, Flower nectar
Predators
  • Birds
  • Praying Mantises
  • Orb-weaver Spiders
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, loss of host plants, and agricultural pesticide use
HabitatsForest margins, river valleys, shrubby hillsides, and agricultural borders
Life span1–3 weeks as adult
Classification
  1. FamilyPapilionidae
  2. SpeciesSericinus montela
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Spotting: Look for fluttering individuals near patchily distributed Aristolochia vines on sunny days.
  • Identification: Note the dramatic difference between creamy males and intricately patterned females.
  • Observation: Approach slowly when adults stop to feed on nectar or rest on low vegetation.
Related species
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