The African Mocker Swallowtail (Papilio dardanus) is a large African butterfly.
The male African Mocker Swallowtail is cream-white with black bands and elegant tails. Females mimic the colours of various toxic butterflies that may include orange and black colouring.
African Mocker Swallowtail (male)
It has large eyes and a long proboscis (mouthpiece for sucking liquid). The proboscis is used to drink nectar from flowers.
The wingspan of the African Mocker Swallowtail is about 8 centimetres (3 inches).
It prefers woodlands and forests.
African Mocker Swallowtail (male)
African Mocker Swallowtail (male)
African Mocker Swallowtail (female)
African Mocker Swallowtail (female)
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM