African giant swallowtail

Description

Papilio antimachus,the giant African swallowtail,is a butterfly in the family Papilionidae.With a wingspan between 18 and 23 centimetres (7.1 and 9.1 in),it is the largest butterfly in Africa and among the largest butterflies in the world.P.antimachus live in the tropical rainforests of west and central Africa.The distribution area (range) stretches from Angola,Cameroon,Democratic Republic of the Congo,Republic of the Congo,Gabon,Ghana,Ivory Coast,Liberia,Nigeria,Sierra Leone,and Uganda.The male is larger than the female and can often be seen in groups at nectar.The females show themselves less,continually flying high above the tree tops.The butterfly has no natural enemies because it is very toxic,with a toxin potent enough to kill up to six average house cats.