|
|
|
 Sent
to you
by e-mail
|
|
Simply
enter your details and hit the send button
more
info |
|
Click Here
Links
Advertise
Terms of Use
Contributors
About Us
Contact Us
|
 |
Go back
| Bookmark
| Print Page 
| E-Mail Us 
 
Photo: Dean Eades |
|
UK
Safari Tip:
Need help identifying butterflies? Checkout the beautifully illustrated
fold-out chart in the Nature Shop called "Butterflies of
Britain" - click here
|
|
Latin name: Papilio machaon
Size: Wingspan approximately 95mm.
Distribution: Found in the Norfolk Broads. On rare occasions migrants
from the continent show up in other counties.
Months seen: May to July.
Habitat: Fens and marshes.
Food: Nectar. The caterpillars feed on milk parsley (Peucedanum
palustre).
Special features: It would be difficult to confuse the swallowtail
butterfly with any other. It's one of the prettiest and certainly the largest
butterfly found in the UK.
The name comes from the two tail-like extensions on the hind wings, which also
feature two prominent red eye-spots.
 The young caterpillars have the appearance of bird droppings to protect
themselves from predators. As they get larger they become pale green with black
lateral stripes and orange spots. They also have a strange appendage on top of
their heads which looks like an orange coloured snakes forked tongue. It's
called an 'osmeterium', and for added effect it can be flicked in and out. It
also emits a powerful scent like rotting fruit.
UK Safari Butterfly Section
|
|
|
