Family Papilionidae - Swallowtail Butterflies

The swallowtails are generally easily identified in the field by their large size, prominent markings, colour, patterns and variable wing and tail shape. The forked appearance of the swallowtail like hind wings, which can be seen when the butterfly is resting with its wings spread, gave rise to the common name swallowtail.
They are generally black bodied or red bodied and many species are toxic, unpalatable to predators. Males have scent brushes and they gather in large numbers for mudpuddling.

This family of large and beautiful butterflies is well represented with 89 species found within Indian borders with around 550 species overall in the world. Two of the three papilionid subfamilies are represented in India, namely, the Parnassiinae or Apollos, with 19 species, and the Papilioninae or swallowtails, with 70 species.

Publicado el 18 de septiembre de 2020 a las 05:17 AM por kedartambe