Papilio dardanus

Flying Handkerchief or Mocker Swallowtail

Basic Information

General information

Family: “Papilionidae”
Sub Family: “Papilioninae”
Estimated Lifespan 13 Days

Garden Specific Information

Estimated Number In Flight: 0
Total Number of Pupae Received: 4581
First Flown On: 10/14/02
Last Flown On: 11/03/23

Species Range:

  • “Africa”

Host plants:

  • Fagara
  • Teclea
  • Vepris
  • Toddalia
  • Calodendron
  • Citrus
  • Clausena
  • Xymalos

Food Source

Flying Handkerchiefs are nectar feeding butterflies and males can often be observed puddling.

Habitat

This butterfly can be found in forests, gardens and savannah.

Life history

Eggs are laid singly on the hostplants.

Flights

Flying Handkerchiefs can be found in flight year-round.

Fun Facts

This species is sexually dimorphic, meaning the males and females look different. This females are polymorphic, meaning there are several different forms.