Swallowtail demoleus

Small butterfly from the family of Swallowtails. Feed by hand, removing the proboscis and using a solution of honey or sugar. The butterfly has an interesting variegated color of cream and gray spots. It is remotely reminiscent of our Russian Machaon (Papilio machaon), being with it distant relatives in the same family and genus.

Butterflies of this species are distinguished by their persistent adaptation to various habitats. They can inhabit savannas, gardens, evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, but give preference to wet stations near the river beds. In India, it is found mainly on the plains, but it can lift into the mountains of Tibet to altitudes up to 2100–2220 meters at sea level.