Papilio aegeus

Orchard Swallowtail, Large Citrus Butterfly at Wolumla, NSW

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Identification history

Papilio (Princeps) aegeus	12 May 2020	GlennCocking
Papilio (Princeps) aegeus	12 May 2020	GlennCocking
Unidentified	14 Aug 2018	PatriciaDaly

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User's notes

Cocoon found on cumquat tree. Can it be identified? I was wondering if it would harm the tree.

6 comments

KerriLee wrote:

15 Aug 2018

lovely! And, no, it won't harm the tree. If it emerges, it will be a winged adult and fly off. Only caterpillars feed ... so it's already done any harm it was ever going to do. Now, what species ... ? I have an idea, but I'll just check a couple of books. Better still, could you collect it (preferably on a piece of branch, without disturbing it) and keep it contained to see what emerges??

KerriLee wrote:

15 Aug 2018

the pupal shape looks very much like an Orchard Butterfly (Papilio aegeus), although it's more dusty-brown that usual. Beautiful insects! OK, their caterpillars do rather like citrus, but heh ... sharing is OK. They don't eat that much :)

Let's hope it's alive, and the dusty pupal case isn't a sign of something amiss inside (eg a parasite).

PatriciaDaly wrote:

15 Aug 2018

Shoebox container? Does it need air holes?

KerriLee wrote:

15 Aug 2018

Just a stick in a jar will do. Once it starts to eclose, it will take a while to open its wings. I wouldn't bother with a cover

GlennCocking wrote:

11 May 2020

Did it emerge Patricia? I'm pretty sure Kerrie is right about Papilio aegeus

PatriciaDaly wrote:

11 May 2020

Alas no, I kept it for some time, eventually cracked it open and it was empty. Eaten by something else?