The menacing Male Atrophaneura semperi

Men in Black. The male semperi appears quite menacing with its black wings and all-red body. It does indeed harbour distasteful Aristolochic acids that would make a bird spit it out. The folds on the inside of the hindwings keep the pheromone scales or 'love dust' that attract the female of the species.

Name: Semperi - male

Latin: Atrophaneura semperi

Family: Papilionidae

Origin: The Philippines

Food plant: Birthwort Family

thumbnail for Atrophaneura semperi head
Thumbnail for Atrophanuera semperi female