Asian swallowtail - larva (Kaiyodo - Sofubi Toy Box)

[bmathison1972]

Walk-around of the larva of the Asian swallowtail, Papilio xuthus Linnaeus, 1767, by Kaiyodo - Sofubi Toy Box, No. 007, new for 2017. This figure was released early this year and has already been discontinued, so grab one while you can.

The species is common in much of Asia, from Japan to India, also the Hawaiian Islands. The figure has been made several times, including another caterpillar by Kaiyodo (Capsule Q Museum - Caterpillars), and adults by Bandai (Bugs Museum; Insect Science), Kabaya (World Insects Series I), and Rement. See the last image for comparisons with the Capsule Q caterpillar and the Insect Science adult.

The figure. WOW. It measures 23 cm long. Assuming the Capsule Q Museum version is 1:1, that makes this figure 4:1 (although it seems much bigger - someone can confirm my math if they want). The figure, unlike others in this series, is solid piece with no moving parts.

I have updated BOTD to reflect thus guy as well!

On to the pics:

photo upload sites

photo upload sites

photo upload sites

photo upload sites

photo upload sites

photo upload sites

photo upload sites

photo upload sites

[brontodocus]

What an absolutely awesome model! Even the spiracles are sculpted! I think most medium-sized Papilio species have caterpillars growing to around 45 to 55 mm or so, so the scale seems resonabe (although I don't have data about larva sizes for P. xuthus so I'm just guessing).