Chinese Yellow Swallowtail

Natural history and identification

Papilio xuthus is a swallowtail whose caterpillars feed on Rutaceae, including citrus. Experimental work on feeding stimulants shows that recognition of the host's chemistry is important in its feeding biology. The winged adult and foliage-feeding larva require separate identification. Citrus presence alone does not prove that a particular tree is occupied by this butterfly.

Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence

Atlas occurrence category: Present. The Kauaʻi record is classified as “Present”. Its cited evidence source is iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist.

Account coverage

Published species details have been added. A complete Kauaʻi-specific account of identification, habitat, feeding, reproduction, and population trend is not yet established by the sources linked here.

Names and classification

Scientific name

Papilio xuthus

Common names

Chinese Yellow Swallowtail

Family

Papilionidae

Order

Lepidoptera

Record type

species

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal description

Chinese Yellow Swallowtail (Papilio xuthus) belongs to Papilionidae in the order Lepidoptera. Its recorded origin status is introduced.

Sources and further reading

• iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist
• Natural history and identification — species source