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Butterfly populations are a very good indicator of the health of an area's ecosystem !!
Papilio ophidicephalus (Emperor Swallowtail) is the the largest butterfly in flight in sub Saharan Africa. (Females are typically larger than males.)
They are typically found in rainforest and cloud forest habitats.
They have two broods, one from August - December and the second from January - April.
There are multiple generations per year so this butterfly can be seen in flight year round.
They are at low risk and considered to be of least concern.
Diet: caterpillars feed on Clausena inqequalis, Calodendrum capense, Citrus species, Clausena anisata, Zanthoxylum capense and other Zanthoxylum species.
Diet: adults are a nectar feeding species
Avg. wingspan: 9 – 11 cm / 3.54 - 4.33 " males and 10 – 12 cm / 3.92 - 4.74 " females
Family: Papilionidae
The single biggest threat to butterfly survival is habitat destruction!!
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