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SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY


SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY
Photo Information
Copyright: Marius Secan (marius-secan) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 190 W: 0 N: 418] (1415)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-06-27
Categories: Insects
Camera: Nikon D300, Sigma APO 150-500mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM
Exposure: f/6.3, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-08-04 11:23
Viewed: 312
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

Swallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies which form the family Papilionidae. There are at least 550 species, and though the majority are tropical, members of the family are found on all continents except Antarctica. The family includes the largest butterflies in the world, the birdwing butterflies of Australia.

wallowtails differ from all other butterflies in a number of anatomical traits. Most notably, their caterpillars possess a unique organ behind their heads, called the osmeterium. Normally hidden, this forked structure can be everted when the caterpillar is threatened, and emits smelly secretions containing terpenes. The adults are often tailed like the forked tail of some swallows, giving the insect its name.

Swallowtails differ from all other butterflies in a number of anatomical traits. Most notably, their caterpillars possess a unique organ behind their heads, called the osmeterium. Normally hidden, this forked structure can be everted when the caterpillar is threatened, and emits smelly secretions containing terpenes. The adults are often tailed like the forked tail of some swallows, giving the insect its name.

The Swallowtail butterflies in the tribe Papilionini number about 225 species and studied have been made on their host-plant coevolution and phylogeny. A study found that the Papilios are monophyletic and old morphological classifications where also found to be valid in that they formed clusters. Species belonging to the groups that use Rutaceae as host plants formed two groups corresponding to Old World and American taxa.

Swallowtail butterflies, being large, colourful, and attractive, have been the target of butterfly collectors in earlier times. The largest of these, the Birdwing butterflies are particularly sought after and are cultured in butterfly farms for the purpose of collectors.

Many members of the family feed as larvae on plants of the Citrus family Rutaceae. Some of these attractive butterflies are therefore considered pests in Citrus orchards.
horias, Christopher_PL, MMM has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • horias Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 387 W: 59 N: 854] (3948)
  • [2009-08-04 11:26]

Marius,
Trebuie sa recunosc ca ma uit cam cu invidie la captura ta...imi place enorm.
Te felicit!!!!
Horia

  • Great 
  • joska Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 404 W: 0 N: 1002] (5396)
  • [2009-08-04 11:36]

oarte frumoasa prezentare a speciei, felicitari!

Very Nice! Great subject, composition, depth of field and especially the colors.

hello marius
great composition with great sharpness and beautiful colours
greeting lou

Hello Marius,
Excellent shot of this beauty Papilionidae. Perfect colours and sharpness, nice smooth background. TFS

Chris

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 0 N: 1985] (8905)
  • [2009-08-06 10:35]

HI Marius
Nice composition.Good POV and sharp image.Nice OOF BG and lovely colors.
TFS Michel

Hi Marius.. Superb shot.. nice colours..
thanks for sharing.. regards
Özgür

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