Page 44 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Papilionidae
DISTRIBUTION Northeastern India, southern China, Japan, Korea,
Chinese Taipei, and most of Southeast Asia
HABITAT Low-level tropical and subtropical rain forests, and urban areas
where larval food plants occur
HOST PLANTS Camphor Laurel (Cinnamomum camphora), other
Cinnamomum spp., Lindera spp., and Neolitsea spp.

NOTE Humped caterpillar of moderate-sized blue swallowtail butterfly
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common and widespread

ADULT WINGSPAN
3⅛ in (80 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1¹¹∕₁₆ in (43 mm)
GRAPHIUM SARPEDON
COMMON BLUEBOTTLE
42
(LINNAEUS, 1758)

Eggs and early stage caterpillars of the Common Bluebottle
are typically found on saplings and new growth, often at low
heights. When not feeding, the caterpillar in all instars rests
along the midrib on the upper leaf surface. The caterpillar stage
lasts from two to five weeks depending on the temperature.
The larvae are usually very sluggish and will pupate near where
they feed. The pupa, which is wedge-shaped and pale green,
is suspended upright and supported with a silken girdle and
the cremaster.

The striking adults—black with a semitranslucent medial
blue-green band extending to their wingtips—often congregate
at muddy puddles or urine-soaked soil. They are swift-flying

butterfl ies and common in reserves, urban parks, and where
Camphor Laurel trees are planted as ornamentals. There are as
many as eight sibling species previously considered subspecies
of the Common Bluebottle. These range from India to Australia
and have a similar appearance and biology.

The Common Bluebottle caterpillar tapers to
the posterior and is green, with a prominent
yellow, transverse band connecting the third
pair of thoracic spines. These spines are white
with black and yellow rings at their base. There
are also two pairs of shorter thoracic spines
and a pair on the anal segment. There is a
Actual size pale, translucent yellow osmeterium in the
prothoracic segment.