Androgeus Swallowtail (Papilio androgeus Cramer)
Wing span: 5 1/4 - 5 1/2 inches (13.4 - 14 cm).
Identification: Male has elongated forewing and very short and narrow hindwing tails. Uppersides of fore- and hindwings have very broad yellow bands and no marginal rows of yellow spots. Females are black; hindwings each have 3 narrow pointed tails and blue iridescence on upperside.
Life history: Males patrol for receptive females. Eggs are laid singly; caterpillars resemble bird droppings. Chrysalids overwinter.
Flight: Many flights from April- October.
Caterpillar hosts: Leaves of trees in citrus (Rutaceae) family: orange (Citrus sinensis) and Zanthoxylum elephantiasis.
Adult food: Nectar from a variety of flowers.
Habitat: Overgrown citrus groves in Florida; tropical forests in central and south America.
Range: Mexico to Argentina; small population in south Florida.
Conservation: Not required. May be extirpated in the United States.
