Thoas Swallowtail

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Heraclides thoas

Thoas Swallowtail, a reference photo
Photo: Tubifex · CC BY-SA 3.0 (licence)

Papilio thoas, the king swallowtail or Thoas swallowtail, is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. It is found in the southernmost United States, Mexico, Central America and South America (as far south as Argentina and Uruguay). The species is easily confused with the giant swallowtail, which it closely resembles in both larval and adult stages. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of citrus plants (Rutaceae). They have also been reported as feeding on a member of the genus Piper.

From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Is it venomous or poisonous?

We have no record of Thoas Swallowtail being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.

Easily confused with

Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Lepidoptera
Family
Papilionidae
Genus
Heraclides
Species
Heraclides thoas

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