Caterpillar Of Papilio Polytes Linnaeus Stock Image

Scientific name: Papilio polytes Linnaeus. Caterpillar host plant: Plants from the families Rutaceae and Citrus. Size: Grows up to 3-4 cm in length. Color: Varies depending on instar (stage of development) but usually green, brown or black. Body: Cylindrical with sparse hairs and prominent osmeterium (scent gland). Head: Hides under the first thoracic segment when not in use. Feeding behavior: External feeder that consumes host plant leaves. Defense: Can release foul-smelling secretions from osmeterium when threatened. Pupation: Outside the caterpillar, in a loose cocoon attached to the host plant. Emerges as: An adult Papilio polytes butterfly after pupal metamorphosis. Papilio polytes: A swallowtail butterfly found across South and Southeast Asia. Larval host plants help camouflage the caterpillar from predators. An important defoliator of citrus and other Rutaceae plants in its range. Picture is took at Le Thi Rieng park. Ho Chi Minh City. Viet Nam.