Fiji Post issued the stamp series feature the life cycle of Papilio Schmeltzii, is Fiji’s largest butterfly and is one of some 44 species of butterflies which inhabit in Fiji. The stamp comprised of 4 stamps and issued on November 10, 2004.
Schmeltzi’s swallowtail is one of two species found on the eastern edge of the Pacific Islands : Papilio godeffroyii in Western Samoa and Papilio schmeltzii in Fiji.
The Caterpillar or larva is often referred to as the feeding stage. They will melt several time as they grow. These growth steps are called instars. This caterpillar mimics a bird dropping to avoid being eaten by other animals.
The pupa stage is when the most dramatic changes happen and metamorphosis is taking place. It is the most vulnerable stage so mimicry is highly developed. Chrysalis will look like an emerging bud or fruit or like lichen or dead leaf. Papilio schmeltzii supports itself by a silk threat that is spun by the larva before it pupates. It will remain in this form for weeks.
The newly emerged adult adult butterfly from its chrysalis is called metamorphosis. When this happens tremendous changes have to take place. It take about 20 minutes for wings to unfold and the veins to fill with blood. It must then wait longer for its wings to harden properly before attempts to fly. This can take up to an hour.
The adult butterfly mates and perpetuated the species. It may live for up to a year in tropical areas so it needs to feed.They are feeding on nectar from a flower. This done through a specialized coiled feeding tube or proboscis. Two large component eyes have number of lenses, which are sensitive to movement, colour patterns of flower and other butterflies.
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