Butterflies of
Africa
Mocker Swallowtail
Papilio dardanus
BROWN, 1776
Family - PAPILIONIDAE
subfamily -
PAPILIONINAE
Tribe - PAPILIONINI
Papilio dardanus,
male, Bunso, Ghana
Introduction
There
are about 90 recorded species of Papilionidae in the continent of Africa.
The male of
Papilio dardanus is unique in appearance, but the
"mocker" female produces several morphs, most of which are untailed, and mimic
the colours and patterns of other butterfly species, or day-flying moths. The
models are species that are toxic or unpalateable to birds, e.g.
Amauris echeria, Amauris
niavius, Danaus chrysippus ( Danainae ), and
Acraea poggei ( Acraeini ). Females from Ethiopia
are often tailed like the male, but have patterns which suggest that they mimic
moths in the family Uraniidae.
The Mocker Swallowtail, or Flying Handkerchief as it
affectionately known, is found across most of sub-Saharan Africa, including
Madagascar.
Habitats
This is primarily a rainforest and cloudforest species, but it is commonly found
away from these habitats, e.g. in Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, and in the
highlands of Ethiopia. It can also be seen in arboreta, botanical gardens, and
even in cities. The butterfly occurs at altitudes between sea level and at least
1800m.
Lifecycle
The
larval foodplants include Calodendron,
Clausena, Citrus,
Fagara, Teclea,
Vepris and Toddalia
( Rutaceae ), and
Xymalos ( Monimiaceae ).
Adult behaviour
Males often visit damp ground
to imbibe moisture, and can often be seen in flight in the
sub-canopy or around flowering bushes. Both sexes visit a wide
range of flowering plants including Lantana
and Tridax.
At dusk the butterflies go to roost
on the foliage of trees, and the highly reflective creamy-white
males can often be picked out in vehicle headlights when driving
along forest roads at night. At dawn, despite temperatures that
are often low, the butterflies are extremely alert, and it is
almost impossible to get within 5 metres of them without them
instantly taking flight. This alertness is presumably a defence
against foraging birds, which are most active at dawn.
Papilio dardanus,
male roosting at dawn, Bunso, Ghana
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