The butterfly lays a single round, green-colored eggs on the new growth of the citrus plant. Eggs hatch in few days into caterpillars which resemble bird droppings. The caterpillars eat the new leaves.
Older caterpillars are green with prominent eyespots on humped area near head.
Disturbed larvae extend red tentacles and produce lemony odor. Larval development usually takes less than 30 days. Larvae pupate on the plant and produce a green or brown pupa. The pupal stage lasts about 2 weeks. Adults are black with white spots on wings and a distinctive tail on hind wings.