Ironically, because the four-bar swallowtail butterfly has an extremely short adult lifespan and only produces a single brood per year, the species was not officially included in the modern faunal lists of China until 1994. However, human population growth, commercial exploitation, and forest destruction had already begun shrinking the crucial habitats of the species. In Cambodia and Laos, the ephemeral four-bar swallowtail butterfly is considered an endangered species.

Scientifically described as Graphium agetes, this lepidopteran is sometimes known as the four-bar swordtail because of a very long pair of extensions projecting from its hind wings. The representative of the Papilionidae family features four black bars against a creamy green background on both sides of its forewings that continue down onto its hind wings. The bar pattern is visible both when the butterfly is at rest and when it is in flight. Unlike closely related species of swordtail butterflies, the four-bar swallowtail butterfly features a conspicuous large red spot where the upper surfaces of its hind wings join and several other red wing markings. The unusual splotches of color likely aid in species recognition and help prevent hybridization in the wild.

The egg-laying habits of the female four-bar swallowtail appear unique in the insect world. The host plant they prefer is Fissistigma oldhamii, a medicinal plant that contains pharmaceutically active compounds. Since the immature leaves of the host plant are folded, the mated female must be able to pry open the leaf halves with her abdomen in order to lay and embed one or two creamy white eggs. If she does not succeed, she moves on and tries another leaf. In fact, females are known to spend hours searching by trial-and-error for suitable leaves on the host plant for egg deposition. By placing her eggs on the mid-leaf veins of unsplit immature leaves, the protective mother provides a small degree of safety from predators to her offspring.

Ranging throughout India and Southeast Asia, the four-bar swallowtail butterfly is represented by five scientifically described subspecies. Prized by collectors for their rarity and beautiful wings, some local populations are feeling the pressures of a growing worldwide demand. Four-bar swallowtails are strong, extremely fast fliers that usually feed on flowering trees high up in the tree canopy. However, males repeatedly retrace their flight circuits and are susceptible to capture by collectors when they stop to sip fluids and minerals from puddles. Females are susceptible to capture when they come out of the canopy to lay their eggs on host plants, which are only about 2 meters above the ground.

Wing Scale Interference Patterns - This darkfield image displays interference patterns that make individual scales appear heavily textured, like a fingerprint.

Wing Scales and Membrane - This high magnification image captured in oblique illumination reveals several tiny spots where individual scales were rooted, or imbedded, into the membrane of the wing. Scales are tapered at the connecting end in order to attach to such a small area.

Silver Wing Panels - A dreamy vision of snow white appears in this reflected light image. Small, silver wing panels peek out among the milky hued wing scales.

Feathery Fur on Wing - The fur featured in this image of a four-bar swallowtail wing appears similar to a bird's feathers. It is so fluffy and thick that it is difficult to distinguish the wing scales that lie beneath.

Smooth Fur on Wing - This reflected light image presents the fur that coats the wing of a four-bar swallowtail in a different manner than the previous image. Here the fur lies smoothly atop the rows of white wing scales.

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