14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
common lime butterfly

Papilio demoleus is a common and widespread swallowtail butterfly. The butterfly is also known as the common lime butterfly, lemon butterfly, lime swallowtail, small citrus butterfly, chequered swallowtail, dingy swallowtail and citrus swallowtail. These common names refer to their host plants, which are usually citrus species such as the cultivated lime. Unlike most swallowtail butterflies, it does not have a prominent tail. The butterfly is a pest and invasive species from the Old World which has spread to the Caribbean and Central America.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2015
Date Uploaded: 04.2016
Photo Location: Bengaluru, India
Camera: Canon EOS 700D
Copyright: © Subhash Pulikkal