Papilio machaon, commonly known as the European or Old World Swallowtail, is a striking butterfly belonging to the family Papilionidae. It is one of the most widely distributed butterfly species, found across Europe, Asia, and parts of North America, inhabiting a variety of ecosystems such as meadows, gardens, and wetlands. Multiple subspecies occur across this vast geographical range: the very rare brittanicus is native to the UK and exists only in a few small pockets of habitat in Norfolk; gorganus is native to much of Northern Europe; hippocrates occurs in Japan; and oregonius, native to parts of the US and Canada.
This species is celebrated for its vibrant coloration and elegant wing shape, featuring a distinctive yellow and black pattern, complemented by blue and red spots on its hindwings. Its "swallowtail" name comes from the tail-like extensions on its hindwings, reminiscent of a swallow's forked tail. The caterpillars are equally eye-catching, with green bodies adorned with black bands and orange spots. They feed on a variety of host plants, particularly members of the carrot family like fennel and dill, which provide essential nutrients for their growth.
Host plants: Fennel, Dill, Parsley, Rue, Carrot, Parsnip (and their wild counterparts)
Difficulty: Caterpillars can be challenging (5/10); pupae and butterflies are very easy (1/10)
Temperature: Room temp. for caterpillars and pupae; adults may enjoy warmth but sunshine/bright conditions are more important.
Lifecycle: two or three broods normally, but continually brooded in some regions; pupae overwinter.
