Swallowtail Butterflies
(Papilionidae)

Swallowtails are large, colorful butterflies which often have the forked tails reminiscent of some swallows. The tails may have evolved as a defensive mechanism: they will tear off if a bird grabs them.

pale swallowtailA Pale Swallowtail sips nectar.

pale swallowtailA Pale Swallowtail on the wing tucks up its legs to reduce drag

pale swallowtailA Pale Swallowtail sips nutrients from the moist ground.

swallowtailA Western Swallowtail sips from moist ground.

swallowtailsA few of the dozen swallowtail butterflies (Western and Pale) sipping nutrients from moist ground.

western swallowtailA Western Swallowtail sips nectar.

Information from Wikipedia: Swallowtail Butterflies.


Fraser tartan