Anyone know what sort of cocoon this is?

[bloodhound31]

How about it? Can anyone ID? I have three or four of these on my citrus tree out the front yard. It's going to be interesting watching them.

I'm thinking it might be some kind of Swallowtail butterfly but unsure what sort.

Baz.

[mangrovedutch]

I have no idea, Baz, but I'm going to check my Citrus trees. It would be good to present at the unveiling with camera in hand.

Dutch

[[1ponders]]

Baz that is the pupa of the Small Citrus Butterfly Papilio anactus

[bloodhound31]

Awesome! A positive ID. Thanks Paul!

Any idea how long they are like this or what signs they give of when they are about to hatch? Are all four that I have likely to hatch at once? How long does the hatching process last once it starts?

Baz.

[[1ponders]]

Sorry I can't help you on time frame, but you will notice it start to change colour, usually a day or so before hatching. It can take a while (half hour to a couple of hours) for the butterfly to hatch and then to fill in its wings and the wings to dry and be strong enough to fly.

[[1ponders]]

Snagged from Wikipedia:
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilio_anactus)
The time-span of the pupa can vary. It can be two weeks in summer, or up to four weeks in autumn. Often those pupae formed in autumn will not become adults until the following spring, or even longer with diapause records of 1-2 years. [3]

[bloodhound31]

Looks like they are quite a pest in parts and no conservation action is current as they exist in such numbers to be able to defoliate small citrus trees entirely. I think I might grab one and jar it up with a time-lapse camera watching. This could be really exciting! I'll release it when it's wings are dry.

Baz.

[[1ponders]]

they certainly aren't endangered that is for sure Barry. In the home orchard they really should rarely do much long term damage. Its a different story in commercial orchards. They can become a moderately serious pest some years. There are certainly other citrus pests that are far more of a concern