Spangle Swallowtail Papilio protenor

Named for its dazzling iridescent sheen, this large Southeast Asian butterfly is one of the most striking members of a glamorous family. Females often mimic other toxic butterfly species, wearing entirely different color patterns from males — a deception so convincing that early naturalists sometimes classified the sexes as separate species altogether. Swallowtails are famous for their long hindwing tails, which are thought to redirect bird attacks away from the body and toward the expendable wing tips. Like many large tropical swallowtails, it is an impressive sight in the air — slow and deliberate, sailing through forest clearings with a wingspan that commands attention. Keep your eyes up when exploring lowland forests across South and Southeast Asia.