| Actual Image
Extreme Bilateral Symmetry with Red Dot (104)
boreocypriensis
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5089 W: 178 N: 12407]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif) (33873) | Papilio machaon (Common Yellow Swallowtail) [in Turk. Kırlangıçkuyruk]
Today, an additional pair in love of the one of the largest butterflies from the around of Karacaören village (Boyabat, Sinop). There is a big coincidence that these beauties have also naturally a natural “red dot” (for +18). Hehehe:)
TFL & Have a amusing and happy Sunday!
Cheers,
©Bayram GÖÇMEN, Ege University, Faculty of Science. All Rights Reserved.
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This butterfly is also known as ‘The Old World Swallowtail’ or, simply, ‘Swallowtail’ (a common name applied to all members of the family). A very large butterfly with a wingspan of 65-100 mm and a characteristic tail on the hindwing.
The upperside ground colour is light yellow. The forewing has extensive black marks, a black band in the postdiscal area and pronounced black veins. The hindwing has a wide black band, which is highlighted with blue in the postdiscal area. This band reaches the anal angle as a red ocellus. The underside is similar to the upperside, but with grey instead of black markings. The blue and red markings are larger and more pronounced. The female is similar to the male.
This species has a very wide range. It occurs throughout the Palearctic region in Eurasia and N America.
Adults start to emerge early in February (occasionally in January) and are on the wing until November, producing at least four generations. Overwinters as a pupa. Final-stage larvae have been found in December. The larval host-plants are mainly species of the Umbelliferae and Apiaceae (including Peucedanum palustre - Milk Parsley) families. Early stages of this butterfly have also been found on the following plants: Coriander, Wild Carrot, Giant Fennel belonging to Umbelliferae, and Lemon Tree and Fringed Rue from Rutaceae.
It is a common butterfly found in a wide variety of habitats and with a very wide distribution. It is observed in maquis, garigue, phrygana, forests, cultivated areas and riverbeds, from sea level to 3000 m. It is much more common in the lowlands and intermediate elevations, mainly close to crops and damp places where its main foodplant fennel thrives. The adult butterflies frequently feed at the nectar-rich flowers. The caterpillar spends the first part of its life with the appearance of a bird dropping, an effective defence against predators. As the caterpillar grows larger it becomes green with black and orange markings. The caterpillar still has a defence against predators in the form of an organ called an osmeterium which consists of retractable, fleshy projections behind its head that can release a foul smell.
References:
1. Makris, C. (2003). Butterflies of Cyprus. Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation. 329 pp.
2. Baytaş, A. (2008). Türkiye’nin Kelebekleri Doğa Rehberi. NTV yayınları, Doğuş Grubu İletişim Yayıncılık ve Ticaret A.Ş., Istanbul, 222 s.
3. Tolman, T.(2008).Collins Butterfly Guide of Britain and Europe. HarperCollins Publishers Ltd., London,. 384 pp. |
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