🔍 King Swallowtail | Papilio thoas 🦋
📍 Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
💬 This giant of a butterfly is nearly a twin of the Giant Swallowtail — the two species are so alike that even lepidopterists rely on wing-spot counts and genitalia to tell them apart in the field.
Fauna
King Swallowtail | Papilio thoas
Basic ID
Conservation Status
Not formally assessed; considered widespread and stable
Coloration
Black wings crossed by a broad yellow band, yellow crescent spots along the margins, with small blue and red accents near the tails
Lifespan
Several weeks as an adult
Size
Length
Weight
Wingspan
12–14 cm
Habitat & Behavior
Native Range
Southern United States through Mexico, Central America, and South America to Argentina
Habitat Type
Tropical and subtropical forests, forest edges, gardens, and citrus groves
Diet
Caterpillars feed on citrus and other Rutaceae plants; adults feed on flower nectar
Activity Pattern
Diurnal