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Butterfly, Papilio thoas
Wing span: 4 1/8 - 5 inches (10.5 - 12.8 cm).
Identification: Upperside of forewing has diagonal yellow band of square spots in a neat row.
Life history: Caterpillars resemble bird droppings and rest exposed on leaves.
Flight: Year-round in the tropics
Caterpillar hosts: Plants in the citrus family (Rutaceae) including Citrus spp., prickly ash (Zanthoxylum americanum), hop tree (Ptelea trifoliata); six species in the Piperaceae family.
Adult food: Flower nectar, including lantana, cesalpina, and bougainvilla.
Habitat: Mid-elevation tropical forests and lowland edges.
Range: South Texas south to Brazil.
Photo by Marty Casado
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