Page:De Vismes Kane-European Butterflies.djvu/89

 EUROPEAN BUTTEEFLIES.

Family PAPILIONIDÆ.

Genus Papilio.

This genus has only one British representative, P. Machaon, "The Swallow-tail." Its distinguishing characteristics, the so-called " tail " on the h.w., the primrose ground colour barred with blk., and the powerful flight, are more or less shared by all its European congeners.

There is no other large European butterfly with tails of any other genus, except Charaxes Jasius, a glorious insect found along the shores of the Mediterranean, and this is ornamented with two on each h.w.

The caterpillars of the genus Papilio have a remarkable process above the head, in the shape of a Y, which is extruded when the creature is disturbed, and exudes a fluid of nauseous odour.


 * l. P. Sinon Poda. Podalirius L. 2·7 — 3·1 in.
 * Of paler primrose than P. Machaon. F.w. crossed by two blk, bands extending from costa to in. mar., and two shorter ones ; h.w. traversed centrally to anal eye-spot by a similar one.
 * Appears early in May or June according to latitude, and again in July — Aug. F. pit. : Plum, sloe, pear, apple, oak, barberry, etc. Loc. — Not rare in C. Europe and France. Widely distributed in Switzerland: in Lr. Eisack Vail, it appeared in flights in July, 1850. The 2nd brood between Raron and Inden (Valais) is said by M. D. to approach Zancleus. Oberlausitz ab., Netherlands rare. "Waldeck and Frankfort ab. in spring, but no 2nd brood. France: Vosges up to 2400 ft., parts of