Large Striped Swordtail

Graphium antheus

A big and striking butterfly, the Large Striped Swordtail inhabits moist savannas and coastal forests and in South Africa can be seen through most of Limpopo, low-lying parts of Mpumalanga and most of Kwazulu-Natal. Adults of both sexes, on the wing from spring to autumn and boasting a wingspan of around 7cm, can often be seen visiting flowers but the males – as depicted in some of the images below – are especially fond of muddy puddles as well and will often congregate there in large numbers. These butterflies are very strong fliers.