Skip to main content
Close

Mamba swordtail

Graphium colonna

Photo by Tiz
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-26.1785, 32.0342

Field Notes

Description:

The only two photos I got of this Swallowtail mud puddling. Not god ones, but I hope this is enough to get an ID :)
It had blood red round patches on the hindwings, close to the body. One on each side.

Habitat:

Mud on a road to the Mbuluzi River

Species ID Suggestions

Mamba swordtail

Graphium colonna

Comments (8)

Thank you for the comment and the ID suggestion Fanie!!!
Thanks, Fanie, yes it does look more like the Mamba swordtail. This species of swallowtail also was previously only recorded in Swaziland from one locality further south in the Lubombo mountains. http://www.sntc.org.sz/biodiversity/sdbutterflyinfo.asp?spid=1308
Check this site for comparison with Small striped swordtail: http://www.biodiversityexplorer.org/butterflies/papilionidae/graphium_policenes.htm The blue lines at the bottom of the forewing are thin in the case of the Mamba swordtail. In the small striped swordtail the lines are thicker and become blotches.
That is good news. Well I will add in the description that it had blood red round patches on the hindwings, close to the body. One on each side.
Excellent spotting! This is most likely the Small striped swordtail (Graphium policenes policenes), previously only recorded in Swaziland from one locality further south in the Lubombo mountains. http://www.sntc.org.sz/biodiversity/sdbutterflyinfo.asp?spid=1309

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon