Green-banded Swallowtail

Afrikaans name: Groenlint-swaelstert

Photo © Steven Herbert

Papilio nireus

I have a problem with the name of the Green-banded Swallowtail. The books describe the band as blue-green (not green) and to me it looks blue (not green) but maybe its just my eyes...

They are large and distinctive butterflies that can have a wing-span of 8 cm.

The Green-banded Swallowtail flies fast but it may be seen settling on mud, some flowers and even fresh dung.

These butterflies occur all the way up the east coast from around Port Elizabeth. They may also be found in the north-eastern regions of South Africa.

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References and further reading

Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Hugo Germishuys - Year Published: 1982 - Page: 29

Butterflies of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Mark Williams - Year Published: 1994 - Page: 28

Butterflies of the Kruger National Park - Author: Johan Kloppers and the late Dr. G. Van Son - Year Published: 1978 - Page: 7

Butterflies of the Western Cape - Author: A.J.M. Claassens - Year Published: 2005 - Page: 62

Familiar South African Butterflies - Author: Clive Quickelberge - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 52

Ivor Migdoll's Field Guide to the Butterflies of Southern Africa - Author: Ivor Migdoll - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 236