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Papilio zelicaon nitra
Papilio zelicaon nitra is a subspecies of the anise swallowtail, a western North American butterfly in the family Papilionidae. The parent species Papilio zelicaon is well-documented as having larvae that resemble bird droppings, providing camouflage from predators. When disturbed, the caterpillar extends its osmeterium, a forked scent gland that releases a strong odor as a defensive mechanism. This subspecies is part of a group showing complex life cycle adaptations including non-diapause overwintering strategies in some populations.