Apple-Green Swallowtail
Papilio phorcas
At Nairobi Arboretum, Kenya, July 2014.
In the dappled green and shadows of secondary forest undergrowth this pattern is exquisite camouflage. Acute eyesite and rapid flight take over if the insect senses that its cover has been compromised by a bird. If a bird actually manages to catch hold of the butterfly the slippery scales and fragile wing membrane likely will allow for escape!