Papilio anchisades spray a warning chemical to ward off predators.Īs caterpillars, ruby-spotted swallowtails feed on citrus trees such as Citrus, Casimiroa, Zanthoxylum, and as adults, they use their proboscis to feed on flower nectar. ( Carter, 1992 Forestiero and Sbordoni, 1998 Holland, 1907 Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 2001) Ruby-spotted swallowtails take several flights during May and October, and their flight patterns are diurnal. The caterpillars are equipped with special scent organs that spray an odor to ward off predators when alarmed. The females lay eggs on plant leaves in groups, and caterpillars lay on leaves in clusters during the day and feed at night. gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate)ĭuring reproduction and in the caterpillar stages of life, Papilio anchisiades is social.The female butterflies usually mate several times in their life time, and release many eggs each time. The most common host plants for ruby-spotted swallowtails are Citrus limon and Casimiroa edulis in Mexico. Papilio anchisiades go through four life stages (egg, caterpillar, Chrysalis (pupa), adult (butterfly)).įemale Papilio anchisiades lay their eggs in groups on host plant leaves. Range wingspan 7 to 10 cm 2.76 to 3.94 in.( Carter, 1992 Holland, 1907 Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 2001 Scott, 1986)
The pupae are light-brown in color with ligh green spots, and are thicker in their anterior portion. In the early stages, the caterpillars are green and brown with white markings and bulges on their backs.
Citrus wingspan Patch#
Females can be detected by a diffuse white patch on the upper forewing. Their most distinctive characteristics are pink, ruby, or purplish spots on the hindwings. Unlike most swallowtails, ruby-spotted swallowtails lack tails on their hindwings. Papilio anchisiades are large and mostly black with a wingspan of 7-10 cm. ( Carter, 1992 Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, 2001) The habitats range from tropical rainforests to cultivated land to citrus groves and gardens. Papilio anchisiades live in a variety of habitats. Papilio anchisiades can be found from south Texas, USA to Argentina, but have also been reported in Kansas, southeast Arizona, and west Texas in the United States.
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