# Swallowtail Butterfly (*Papilio machaon*) The Swallowtail Butterfly is large and colorful, with long tail-like extensions on its wings. It dances gracefully in the air! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Gardens, meadows, and forests - **Also known as:** Common Swallowtail, Machaon Swallowtail ![Swallowtail Butterfly](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425714/objects/5477.jpg) ## Appearance The Swallowtail Butterfly has large, bright yellow wings with distinctive black stripes and veins, often adorned with blue and red eye-spots on the hindwings. Its hindwings famously feature tail-like extensions that make it visually unique from other butterflies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Papilio ## Interesting facts - Adult swallowtails can taste plants with their feet to see if they are good for laying eggs! - Some swallowtail caterpillars change color dramatically just before they turn into a chrysalis! - Their beautiful wings are covered in tiny, overlapping scales, like shingles on a roof! - They fly with a distinctive, strong, and gliding flight pattern, not just fluttering around! ## Special abilities - **Secret Scent Shield:** Swallowtail Butterfly larvae can unleash an orange, Y-shaped gland called an osmeterium that helps them scare away predators with a foul smell. - **Nectar Straw Tongue:** Swallowtail Butterflies have a long, coiled proboscis that helps them sip sweet nectar deeply from flowers, reaching hidden treats. - **Sneaky Bird Dropping Disguise:** Young Swallowtail Butterfly caterpillars can camouflage as bird droppings, which helps them avoid becoming a tasty snack for hungry birds. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-90 mm - **Size:** 32-38 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-30 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult butterflies drink nectar, while their caterpillars munch on specific leafy plants! - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) eat the leaves of host plants, while adults drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar (from various flowers), Wild Carrot leaves, Fennel leaves, Dill leaves, Parsley leaves, Queen Anne's Lace leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Wild Carrot (*Daucus carota*) — Larvae feed on its leaves for growth. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds can prey on larvae and adult butterflies. - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — Adults visit flowers for nectar, aiding pollination. - **Depends on:** [Wild Parsnip](https://www.snappit.app/explore/wild-parsnip) (*Pastinaca sativa*) — Another common host plant for its caterpillars. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Swallowtail Butterfly? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Swallowtail Butterfly's wingspan? 60-90 mm ### How big is Swallowtail Butterfly? 32-38 mm ### How long does Swallowtail Butterfly live? 10-30 days ### What does Swallowtail Butterfly eat? Adult butterflies drink nectar, while their caterpillars munch on specific leafy plants! ### Where is Swallowtail Butterfly usually found? Gardens, meadows, and forests ### How does Swallowtail Butterfly hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Swallowtail Butterfly have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Chicken Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chicken-historic-district) — Alaska, US · Historic District - [Bioparc Valencia](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bioparc-valencia) — Valencian Community, ES · Zoo - [Selwo Aventura](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/selwo-aventura) — Andalusia, ES · Zoo - [Naturpark Holsteinische Schweiz](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/naturpark-holsteinische-schweiz) — Schleswig-Holstein, DE · Park - [Biosphärengebiet Schwäbische Alb](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/biospharengebiet-schwabische-alb) — Baden-Württemberg, DE · Park - [Naturpark Altmühltal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/altmuhl-valley-nature-park) — Bayern, DE · Park [View all places to see Swallowtail Butterfly](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/swallowtail-butterfly) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Swallowtail Butterfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/swallowtail-butterfly)