Research Progress and Prospects of Papilio polytes

Lepidoptera insects comprise two principal groups: moths and butterflies. Among them, moths have a greater variety and contain many species with economic value or agricultural hazards, such as Bombyx mori, Antheraea pernyi, Spodoptera frugiperda, Loxostege sticticalis, Ostrinia furnacalis and so on, which have been extensively studied by researchers. In contrast, research on butterflies remains relatively limited. The common Mormon swallowtail, Papilio polytes, classified under the genus Papilio of the family Papilionidae within the order Lepidoptera, is a large and representative butterfly species. Its larvae primarily consume leaves of various host plants and frequently cause economic losses in agricultural production, making it one of the key pest species affecting Rutaceae crops such as Citrus and Murraya. Moreover, due to its large body size, short developmental cycle, ease of rearing in laboratory, and pronounced sexual dimorphism, combined with the availability of its fully sequenced genome since 2015, the common Mormon swallowtail has increasingly been utilized as a model organism in studies related to insect olfaction, mating behavior, mimicry, and evolutionary biology. In recent years, research has made significant progress, particularly in elucidating the developmental and evolutionary mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism and wing pattern differentiation in mimetic female forms. This paper reviews the biological characteristics of P. polytes, including its morphological features, internal structure and physiological functions, as well as life history traits. It provides a detailed description of the common Mormon swallowtail's visual and olfactory capabilities, feeding habits, oviposition and puddling behaviors, while summarizing its mimicry patterns, impact on host plants, and management strategies. Finally, we outline potential future research directions for P. polytes, aiming to provide valuable references for researchers and professionals in the fields of entomology, plant protection, and related disciplines.