Anise Swallowtail, what a survivor

An Anise Swallowtail Papilio zelicaon visited the native patch area of the garden, and rested a while on the Mexican salvia hedge.

Poor butterfly has obviously survived several attacks.

Both rear wing tails have been ripped off by predators.

Fortunately the loss of the tails doesn't affect the butterfly's flight abilities.

It rested at least five minutes on the same salvia branch, enjoying the warmth of the sun while being protected from the occasional gusts of wind, on a particularly breezy day.