# Lime Swallowtail

> Lime Swallowtail (Papilio demoleus). Lime swallowtails use citrus among larval host plants; garden records should distinguish eggs, caterpillars and adult butterflies.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/papilio-demoleus/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/papilio-demoleus/
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**Review status:** This guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.

## Quick answer

The Lime Swallowtail (*Papilio demoleus*) is an invertebrate in the family Papilionidae. In Indonesia, observation records come mainly from West Java, Yogyakarta, Central Java. Diet: caterpillars eat leaves of citrus and related plants (Rutaceae); a herbivore.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Papilio demoleus* |
| Indonesian name | Kupu-kupu jeruk |
| Group | Invertebrates |
| Family | Papilionidae |
| Observation records | West Java, Yogyakarta, Central Java |
| Taxonomic group | Lepidoptera |
| GBIF records | 814 human-observation records, 2016–2026 |
| Data retrieved | 2026-09-23 |
| Diet type | Herbivore (plant-eater) — caterpillars eat leaves of citrus and related plants (Rutaceae) · [cdfa.ca.gov](https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/lst.html) |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · [cdfa.ca.gov](https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/lst.html) |

## What is the Lime Swallowtail?

Lime Swallowtail refers to Papilio demoleus, in the genus Papilio, family Papilionidae, and order Lepidoptera. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/1938069)

## What is known about the Lime Swallowtail?

Lime swallowtails use citrus among larval host plants; garden records should distinguish eggs, caterpillars and adult butterflies.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilio%20demoleus)

## How many Indonesian records name the Lime Swallowtail?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 814 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=1938069&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include West Java, Yogyakarta, Central Java. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=1938069&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)

## How can you observe the Lime Swallowtail?

Record body or wing pattern, age and sex differences, and the plant or water body where the animal was seen. Leave nests and immature stages intact; one image may not support a certain identification. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

## Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Lime Swallowtail with Great Mormon Swallowtail, Great Eggfly, Blue Pansy. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

## Scientific classification of the Lime Swallowtail

| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Insecta |
| Order | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Papilionidae |
| Genus | *Papilio* |
| Species | *Papilio demoleus* |

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Common questions about the Lime Swallowtail

### What is the scientific name of the Lime Swallowtail?

The scientific name of the Lime Swallowtail is *Papilio demoleus*, in the family Papilionidae and the order Lepidoptera. In Indonesian it is called Kupu-kupu jeruk.

### What kind of animal is the Lime Swallowtail?

The Lime Swallowtail is an invertebrate in the family Papilionidae. By diet it is a herbivore (plant-eater): a caterpillars eat leaves of citrus and related plants (Rutaceae).

### Where does the Lime Swallowtail live in Indonesia?

Observation records of the Lime Swallowtail summarised in this guide mainly come from West Java, Yogyakarta, Central Java. That list is not a complete range map.

### What does the Lime Swallowtail eat?

The Lime Swallowtail is a caterpillars eat leaves of citrus and related plants (Rutaceae). That makes it a herbivore (plant-eater). Source: [cdfa.ca.gov](https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/lst.html).

### How does the Lime Swallowtail reproduce?

The Lime Swallowtail reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: [cdfa.ca.gov](https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/lst.html).

### What is the scientific classification of the Lime Swallowtail?

Scientific classification of the Lime Swallowtail: kingdom Animalia, phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Lepidoptera, family Papilionidae, genus *Papilio*, species *Papilio demoleus*.

Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.

## Sources & references

1. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon](https://www.gbif.org/species/1938069)
2. [GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026](https://api.gbif.org/v1/occurrence/search?country=ID&speciesKey=1938069&basisOfRecord=HUMAN_OBSERVATION&year=2016%2C2026&limit=0&facet=stateProvince&facetLimit=7)
3. [iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/51583)
4. [Species account — background reading](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilio%20demoleus)
5. [cdfa.ca.gov](https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/lst.html)
6. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c)

## Keep exploring

- [Great Mormon Swallowtail](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/papilio-memnon/)
- [Great Eggfly](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/hypolimnas-bolina/)
- [Blue Pansy](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/junonia-orithya/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Lime Swallowtail. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/papilio-demoleus/