Black Swordtail

The wingspan is 55–60 mm (2.2–2.4 in) in males and 60–65 mm (2.4–2.6 in) in females. The markings of the upper surface green, only two transverse streaks of the hindwing in cellules 1 c and 2 red; the ground-colour darker than in related species, almost pure black; distinguished from all related species by having the discal spot in cellule lb of the forewing very narrow, streak-like, and forming a direct continuation of the second transverse bar of the middle cell, and further by having the discal spot in cellule 2 of the forewing also narrow and placed almost exactly at the middle of vein 2; the hindwing entirely without green discal spots. The larva is yellowish green with a violet-brown lateral line; the spines on the second and third segments are not simple as normally, but bear small spines; it lives on an Annonaceae of the genus Artabotrys. The pupa is light bluish green and uneven, so that it is deceptively similar to a leaf partly eaten by larvae; the silken girth of the pupa is very thin and often breaks off, so that the pupa hangs quite free like that of a Nymphalid. On the east coast of Africa, from Delagoa Bay to British loncona. East Africa. — ab. loncona Suff. only differs in having the narrow green median band of the hindwing posteriorly bounded by the median and hence not forming the usual spot in the base of cellule 2. …