The topic Papilio is discussed in the following articles:

caterpillar coloration

  • TITLE: caterpillar (larva)
    ...In many instances, a caterpillar’s appearance is meant to imitate that of its surroundings, and it changes as the larva grows. For example, young larvae of many swallowtail butterflies (Papilio) are white and brown and resemble bird droppings on leaves, but, as the caterpillars grow, their appearance changes such that their colours eventually serve as camouflage enabling them to...


  • TITLE: community ecology
    SECTION: Specialization in parasites
    For example, swallowtail butterflies (Papilio) include more than 500 species worldwide. In most species an adult female lays her eggs on a host plant, and, after they hatch, the caterpillars complete their development by feeding parasitically on that plant. In North America there are two groups of these butterflies that have evolved to use different hosts: the tiger swallowtail group and...