Butterflies of
Africa
Turquoise-spotted
Swordtail
Graphium policenes
CRAMER, 1775
Family - PAPILIONIDAE
subfamily -
PAPILIONINAE
Tribe - LEPTOCIRCINI
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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Graphium
policenes, male, Kakum national park, Ghana |
Introduction
There
are about 90 recorded species of Papilionidae in the continent of Africa,
including 37 in the genus
Graphium.
Some
species e.g. angolanus, almansor, philonoe
and leonidas
are without tails, but in others such as
kirbyi
and policenes
these are long and sword-like, hence the common name Swordtails.
The wings of Graphium species are
typically dark brown,
and usually bear a pattern of
translucent turquoise, white or yellow "windows". Males have a fold on the inner edge of
each hindwing
which encloses plumes of androconial scales. These specialised scales disseminate
pheromones that are used to entice females into copulation.
Graphium
policenes is
probably the most beautiful of the
Graphium
species in Africa, and also one of the commonest and most widespread. It occurs
in all forested regions of Africa, and is especially abundant in Ghana,
Nigeria and Cameroon.
Habitats
This species breeds in rainforest habitats at altitudes between sea level and
about 1000m, but is most abundant in the lowlands.
Lifecycle
The larvae feed on
Artabortys,
Annona
( custard
apple ),
Uvaria
and other Annonaceae.
Adult behaviour
Males are seen far more
frequently than females, and are often encountered in groups of as
many as 30 individuals, imbibing mineralised moisture from muddy
tracks and forest roads. When they are feeding, the whole group usually
faces into the breeze. The wings are usually held open at an
angle of about 45 degrees, and kept constantly quivering.
If disturbed the
butterflies erupt into flight, but most of them usually re-settle
within half an hour at the same spot.
When not feeding
they rest on the foliage of trees or bushes, with the wings held
erect if it is hot, or outspread in cooler or hazy conditions.
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