Asian Swallowtailナミアゲハ

Papilio xuthusNE— Not Evaluated

The Asian swallowtail is a common butterfly found throughout Japan, Taiwan, mainland China, Korea, and the Russian Far East, with naturalized populations in Hawaii. Its caterpillars feed on citrus-family plants and shift their camouflage as they grow, resembling bird droppings when young and turning bright green in later instars. Its conservation status has not been formally evaluated by the IUCN, and it remains one of the most familiar butterflies in Japanese gardens.

Asian Swallowtail (reference photo)
Photo: heikindai_87 / CC0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Lepidoptera / Papilionidae Source
Distribution
Found throughout Japan from Hokkaido to the Ryukyu Islands, as well as Taiwan, mainland China, the Korean Peninsula, and the Russian Far East, with naturalized populations in Hawaii. Source

Did You Know?

  • Its caterpillar changes disguise as it grows: young larvae mimic bird droppings with black-and-white coloring, while mature larvae turn bright green. Source
  • When threatened, the caterpillar everts a bright yellow forked organ called an osmeterium behind its head, releasing a pungent terpene-based odor to deter predators. Source

Where to See This Species

0 facilities · 0 individuals

Verified individual animals and facilities will be added as official information becomes available.

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNの評価区分は資料上明確でないためnullとした。

Habitat

里山、庭園、公園などのミカン科植物がある場所。

Threats

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

What do Asian swallowtail caterpillars eat?
They feed on the leaves of citrus-family (Rutaceae) plants such as citrus trees and Zanthoxylum ailanthoides. Source
How does it defend itself as a caterpillar?
When disturbed it extends a forked, foul-smelling orange organ called an osmeterium from behind its head to deter predators. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org