Insect
Chinese Yellow Swallowtail
Papilio xuthusAlso known as Asian Swallowtail, Xuthus Swallowtail
Chinese Yellow Swallowtails are large butterflies with pale yellow bands crossing black wings. Each hindwing carries a short tail plus blue and orange markings, while the body has narrow yellow striping.
swallowtailyellow butterflycitrus feeder
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAdults drink flower nectar; caterpillars feed mainly on leaves of citrus relatives
Predators
- birds
- spiders
- predatory insects
ThreatsPesticides, removal of larval host plants, habitat loss, and intensive garden management
HabitatsOpen woodland, forest edge, gardens, orchards, parks, and settled landscapes
Life spanAdults live for several weeks; the full life cycle generally spans a few months
Classification
- FamilyPapilionidae
- SpeciesPapilio xuthus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Watch without touching wings or collecting caterpillars from their host plants.
Responsible observation
- Identify: Trace the pale yellow wing bands to short tails and blue-orange hindwing spots.
- Watch: Search flowering edges and citrus foliage during warm calm weather.
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