Interesting adaptation - Citrus swallowtail Larvae

The Citrus Swallowtail is indigenous to South Africa and can be found flying around for most of the year although the pupa hibernates during the colder months.
Before citrus trees were brought here, they fed on various other plants but adapted to their new liking for citrus as there were no other insects on them.

Their systems developed a way to process the oils found in the plant.

The larvae use these oils to develop a noxious smell which is exuded in the red forked scent glands they put out when threatened by predators.

They are large butterflies but unlike most of the species, have no long tails.

Both male and female sip the nectar from various flowers for moisture and energy.

Citrus Swallowtail (Papilio Demodocus) Papilionidae

This is the pupae of the Citrus Swallwtail a large butterfly and one very common to our gardens.

This is still a young one and I managed to catch it.
The larvae can be a pest on citrus trees.
A close-up of the wing.

I wonder what was going through his head when I was holding him like this?