Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon) lives in temperate grasslands across Europe, Asia, North Africa. It feeds on umbelliferous plant leaves.
Fascinating facts about the Old World Swallowtail
- The adult Old World swallowtail shows bright yellow wings crossed by bold black veins and measures 65-86 mm across. Both sexes bear a pair of long tails on each hindwing, the feature that gave the butterfly its familiar name. Directly beneath each tail sit a single red and six blue eye-spots, adding a striking contrast. Its strong, fast flight is often punctuated by hovering over flowers to sip nectar.
- Newly hatched caterpillars of Papilio machaon look like bird droppings, a disguise that hides them from visual predators. This camouflage persists while the young larva feeds on its host plants. As it grows, the caterpillar turns green and develops black and orange markings, while retaining a large orange fork behind its head that can be everted to deter threats. The combination of visual mimicry and a foul-smelling osmeterium provides layered defence.
- Scientists recognise 41 distinct subspecies of the Old World swallowtail. One of the most mobile, P. gorganus, migrates strongly across Europe and occupies a wide range of habitats. In Britain the endemic P. britannicus is confined to fenland, though occasional continental gorganus individuals breed on the south coast. The Maltese Islands host their own endemic form, P. melitensis, highlighting the species' regional specialisation.
- In late 2017 the Old World swallowtail was put forward as a contender for Estonia's national butterfly and attracted almost five thousand online votes. Of those, 2,664 people chose Papilio machaon, giving it a clear majority and the title of Estonia's National Butterfly for 2018. The same poll also led to the species being honoured as the country's Butterfly of the Year for 2018, an annual accolade for a native butterfly.
- Both male and female Old World swallowtails possess a pair of protruding tails on each hindwing, a feature that inspired the common name by recalling the long tail feathers of swallows. These tails are noticeably longer than those of the closely related Papilio hospiton, providing a reliable way to separate the two species when they occur together. The prominent tails, together with the butterfly's bright yellow wings, make it instantly recognisable in the field.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeEurope, Asia, North Africa
HabitatTemperate grasslands
DietUmbelliferous plant leaves
About the Old World Swallowtail
As the Old World Swallowtail dances through the warm, sun-drenched meadows, its iridescent wings beat with a hypnotic rhythm, casting a mesmerizing spell of blues and yellows that shimmer like the brightest jewels. With each delicate flutter, the butterfly navigates the intricate tapestry of its habitat, sipping nectar from fragrant wildflowers and leaving a trail of gentle beauty in its wake. In its effortless, soaring flight, the Old World Swallowtail embodies the very essence of freedom and elegance, a true marvel of nature's splendor.
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