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The Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) is an American butterfly of the family Papilionidae.
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Butterfly is the common name of all diurnal lepidopterous insects, corresponding to the original Linnaean genus Papilio. The family of the butterflies or diurnal Lepidoptera (so called to distinguish them from nocturnal or crepuscular Lepidoptera, such as moths) is a very extensive one, and naturalists differ much as to the manner of subdividing it.
One of the most remarkable and interesting circumstances connected with these beautiful insects is their series of transformations before reaching a perfect state. The female butterfly lays a great quantity of eggs, which produce larvae, commonly called caterpillars. After a short life these assume a new form, and become chrysalids or pupa. These chrysalids are attached to other bodies in various ways, and are of various forms; they often have brilliant golden or argentine spots. Within its covering the insect develops, to emerge as the active and brilliant butterfly. These insects in their perfect form suck the nectar of plants, but take little food, and are all believed to be short-lived, their work in the perfect state being almost confined to the propagation of the species. Butterflies vary greatly in size and colouring, but most of them are very beautiful.
The largest butterflies are found in tropical countries, where some measure nearly 30 cm across the wings. They may generally be distinguished from moths by having their wings erect when sitting, the moths having theirs horizontal. Some of them have great powers of flight. Among the most remarkable butterflies are those that present an extraordinary likeness to other objects such as leaves, green or withered, flowers, bark, etc, a feature that serves greatly to protect them from enemies.
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The Common Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae found across Europe - where it is now rare - North Africa, and North America. The caterpillars live on umbelliferous plants, primarily carrot, caraway and fennel.
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The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) is a large Swallowtail butterfly found in temperate regions of Canada, central and eastern USA. Males are yellow and black with orange and blue markings on the hind wings. The females are black-brown with blue and reddish designs on the hind wings.
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Papilio is the 'black' Swallowtail genus of butterflies of the family Papilionidae.
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Papilio demetrius is a Japanese butterfly of the Swallowtail family (Papilionidae) also found in China and northern India. The butterfly flies from April to October with two generations. The caterpillars are green with a dark saddle and white spots on the side of the body and live on various citrus plants.
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Papilio karna carnatus is a 'moss green' butterfly of the Swallowtail family (Papilionidae) found in northern Borneo. It is treasured by butterfly collectors on account of its beauty, the hind wings having a blue, flame- like pattern, a violet-brown eye and a green band.
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The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
©1993 - 2009 The Probert Encyclopaedia
Southampton, United Kingdom
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