Species:	Trogonoptera trojana
Distribution:	Endemic to mainland Palawan.
Host plants:	Aristolochia foveolata (Aristolochiaceae).
Habitat:	This huge, beautiful and most famous Birdwing butterfly is a real forest dweller.  Single males are often seen drinking salt water along sandy beaches on the west coast.  On forest and mangrove habitats along the east coast males drink brackish water on muddy riverbeds.  Except for forested habitats on the west coast, females are rarely encountered in absolute lowland areas.  Both sexes are common up to at least 1000 m. above sea level, where they are very fond of visiting blooming trees and bushes - even during heavy           down pours !
Flight season:	Throughout the year.
Remarks:	Trogonoptera trojana has a wingspan of about 18 cm and so ranks among the world's largest butterflies, and indeed, it is the largest in the Philippines! Among lepidopterists worldwide it is a symbol of Palawan butterflies, and this is also the reason why we've chosen it as our logo.  It is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

 

Species:	Troides plateni
Distribution:	Endemic to Palawan, Balabac, Dumaran and the Calamianes.
Host plants:	Aristolochia tagala (Aristolochiaceae).
Habitat:	Common throughout its distribution area, mainly in wooded habitats.  During rainy season it may be seen in wooded habitats within Puerto Princesa.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.
Remarks:	Troides plateni is the second Birdwing species found on Palawan. It is protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

PICTURE of Troides plateni female [75kB]

 

Species:	Atrophaneura semperi melanotus
Distribution:	Atrophaneura semperi is endemic to the Philippines, ssp. melanotus being endemic to Palawan and the Calamianes.
Host plants:	Aristolochia foveolata.
Habitat:	Primarily found at hilly inland localities where it is restricted to shady and moist primary forests.  It is most often observed visiting blooming trees, but occasionally females will come down into the understorey in search of host plants.
Flight season:	Throughout the year, but with seasonal peak periods.

 

Species:	Pachliopta antiphus brevicauda
Distribution:	In the Philippines it is found on Palawan, Balabac, Dumaran and the Calamianes only.
Host plants:	Aristolochia tagala, Aristolochia foveolata, Aristolochia philippinensis and other species of Aristolochiaceae.  Aristolochia triangularis may be utilised.
Habitat:	Common in most habitats and regularly seen in wooded areas within Puerto Princesa.  Males mainly fly around in open, sunny places, while females favour shady places where they search for host plants.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.

PICTURE of feeding Pachliopta antiphus brevicauda [126kB]
PICTURE of resting Pachliopta antiphus brevicauda [78kB]
PICTURE of Pachliopta antiphus brevicauda caterpillar [82kB]

Species:	Pachliopta atropos
Distribution:	Endemic to Palawan, Balabac and Busuanga island in the Calamianes.
Host plants:	Aristolochia (Thottea ?) philippinensis and Aristolochia tagala.
Habitat:	Pachliopta atropos is strictly a species of the lowlands, where it is found in shady and moist primary forest habitats.  Both sexes may be seen at the edge of the forest where they occasionally come out to feed on flowers.  Still, females favour shady places where they search for host plants.  It is a very local species.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.

 

Species:	Pachliopta neptunus dacasini
Distribution:	Pachliopta neptunus is in the Philippines restricted to Palawan (ssp. dacasini)   and Tawi Tawi island in the Sulu Archipelago (ssp. matbai).
Host plants:	Aristolochia (Thottea ?) philippinensis.
Habitat:	Mainly in forested habitats.  It is usually local and uncommon.  Males may fly around in open sunny places visiting flowers, while females favour shady places.  On the wings, it is a very attractive species.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.

 

Species:	Papilio karna irauana
Distribution:	In the Philippines restricted to Palawan.
Host plants:
Habitat:	Found in shady and moist primary forest habitats.  Males are occasionally seen drinking water on moist spots along sandy river beds.  Both sexes are very fond of visiting flowers, mostly those of blooming trees.  Though fairly local, it is usually common in its habitats.
Flight season:	Throughout the year, but with seasonal peak periods.  March - April is usually a good time for seeing this most beautiful species.

 

Species:	Papilio daedalus angustatus
Distribution:	Endemic to the Philippines.  Subspecies angustatus is endemic to Palawan, Balabac, Dumaran and the Calamianes.
Host plants:	Euodia sp. (Rutaceae) - a wild Rutaceae.
Habitat:	Common in most habitats, but is most frequently seen in clearings within forested areas.  May be seen on wooded habitats within Puerto Princesa.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.

PICTURE of Papilio daedalus, male [139kB]

Species:	Papilio lowi
Distribution:	Papilio lowi is endemic to Palawan, Balabac and Dumaran island.
Host plants:	Kalamansi and suha (pomelo) and other cultivated and wild species of Citrus (Rutaceae).
Habitat:	Papilio lowi can be seen in any habitat throughout its distribution area and it is a regular sight even in down town Puerto Princesa.  Whereas males are seen anywhere, females are only occasionally encountered and then mostly at the edge of forested habitats or along rivers.  Balabac specimens are noticed for frequently having a noticeably shorter tail than normal.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.

PICTURE of Papilio lowi [135kB]
PICTURE of Papilio lowi [182kB]
PICTURE of Papilio lowi caterpillar [85kB]
PICTURE of Papilio lowi pupa [122kB]

Species:	Papilio rumanzovia
Distribution:	Widespread all over the Philippines.  In Palawan it is restricted to the north western tip.
Host plants:	Kalamansi and suha (pomelo) and other cultivated species of Citrus.
Habitat:	Restricted to open, cultivated habitats.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.
Remarks:	Papilio rumanzovia is not a species native to Palawan.  In recent times (supposedly some 20 years ago) it was introduced to northern Palawan, probably with a shipment of Citrus plants from Luzon.  It seems to be a permanent resident only in the vicinity of El Nido.  In that area Papilio lowi appears to have greatly retreated to forested habitats so that each species now resides in its preferred habitat.  If spreading further away from the El Nido area at all, this process is very slow.

 

Species:	Papilio helenus palawanicus
Distribution:	In the Philippines only known from Palawan and Balabac (ssp. palawanicus)   and the Sulu islands (ssp.boloboca).
Host plants:	Kalamansi and other cultivated and wild species of the Citrus family.
Habitat:	Common in all habitats.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.

 

Species:	Papilio demoleus
Distribution:	Widespread throughout the Philippines.
Host plants:	Kalamansi and other cultivated and wild species of Citrus.
Habitat:	Common in lowland habitats and coastal areas.
Flight season:	Common throughout the year.
Remarks:	Papilio demoleus is not an original Philippine species, but was accidentally introduced to the Manila area in the mid-60's, probably with a shipment of Citrus plants from Taiwan.  Soon after it spread to the rest of the Philippine islands and is now completely naturalised.

PICTURE of Papilio demoleus [106kB]

Species:	Papilio alphenor ledebourea
Distribution:	Widespread throughout the Philippines.
Host plants:	Kalamansi and suha (pomelo) and other cultivated and wild species of Citrus (Rutaceae).
Habitat:	Common in all habitats.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.

 

Species:	Chilasa clytia panopinus
Distribution:	Widespread throughout the Philippines.
Host plants:	Cinnamomum.
Habitat:	Flies mainly in drier, wooded habitats.
Flight season:	Throughout the year, but with a pronounced peak period during the March - April dry season.

PICTURE of Chilasa clytia [131kB]

Species:	Graphium empedovana
Distribution:	A Sundaland species that in the Philippines is restricted to Palawan and the Calamianes.
Host plants:
Habitat:	Flies in forested habitats and is locally common.  It is most often seen flying high above the ground, usually around tree tops at forest edges and clearings.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.

 

Species:	Graphium sarpedon sarpedon
Distribution:	Widespread throughout the Philippines.
Host plants:	Guyabano (sour apple), Atis (custard apple) and avocado (Annonaceae).
Habitat:	Common in wooded habitats.  It is very fond of visiting flowers and males are often seen mud puddling.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.

 

Species:	Graphium doson
Distribution:	Widespread throughout the Philippines.
Host plants:	Guyabano (sour apple), Atis (custard apple) and avocado (Annonaceae).
Habitat:	Common in all habitats.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.

PICTURE of Graphium doson [108kB]

 

Species:	Graphium agamemnon
Distribution:	Widespread throughout the Philippines.
Host plants:	Guyabano (sour apple), Atis (custard apple) and avocado (Annonaceae).
Habitat:	Common in any habitat.  It is very fond of visiting flowers.
Flight season:	Throughout the year.

 

Species:	Graphium aristeus hermocrates
Distribution:	Widespread throughout the Philippines.
Host plants:
Habitat:	Primarily in wooded habitats.  It is mainly seen along rivers, in primary and secondary forest.  Males are very fond of drinking water at sandy river beds.
Flight season:	Common throughout the year.

 

Species:	Graphium macareus palawanicola
Distribution:	In the Philippines restricted to Palawan.
Host plants:
Habitat:	It is mainly seen flying along rivers in forested habitats, ascending to habitats at least 1000 m. above sea level.  It is a rather local species.
Flight season:	Seasonal.  February - June is usually the main season.

 

Species:	Graphium megaera
Distribution:	Endemic to Palawan.
Host plants:
Habitat:	It is mainly seen flying along rivers in primary forest. It is a rather local species, and usually only single specimens are encountered.
Flight season:	Seasonal.  February - June is usually the best season.

PICTURE of Graphium megaera [157kB]

Species:	Graphium delessertii palawanus
Distribution:	A Sundaland species that in the Philippines is found on Palawan only.
Host plants:
Habitat:	It is mainly seen flying along rivers in primary forest.  Males are fond of drinking water on sandy river beds.  It is a rather local species
Flight season:	Very seasonal.  February is usually a very pronounced peak season.

PICTURE PAGE

Papilionidae

Pieridae

Nymphalidae

Danainae

Amathusiinae

Satyrinae

Saturniidae

Sphingidae

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