Pachliopta aristolochiae, or the common rose, or red-bodied swallowtail.

Pachliopta aristolochiae, or the common rose, or red-bodied swallowtail.

These pictures of Pachliopta aristolochiae, or the common rose, or red-bodied swallowtail were actually taken near the 10th hole of Fanling gold course, where there is a wonderful butterfly garden.

This is what it was before such a beauty, a big bad caterpillar, eating a toxic plant, which makes it unpalatable to predators. Both as a caterpillar and later as a butterfly. The red colouring warns birds and others.

ooooooh - They are often found on the undersides of leaves....

and a closer look....

And this is another swallowtail, the LIME SWALLOWTAIL, which i found in Thailand last month.