Bugs & Butterflies UK
Shandong Swallowtail EGGS (Papilio machaon shantungensis)
Shandong Swallowtail EGGS (Papilio machaon shantungensis)
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We don't think this subspecies has been offered by breeders outside of its natural range - don't miss this opportunity! As a subspecies of the Old World Swallowtail, it is expected that the larvae will do well on Fennel, but you may want to have some other Umbelliferae available, just in case! In terms of morphology, these butterflies have more pronounced markings than European machaon and resemble the Japanese subspecies hippocrates, more than they do our own Swallowtails.
Please note that this subspecies is not native to the UK and should never be released into the wild.
Difficulty - Probably straightforward but not suitable for beginners (3 or 4/10)
Host plants - Umbelliferae, like Fennel, Carrot, Parsnip, Rue, and related plants.
Conditions - Room temperature or slightly warmer.
Life-cycle - Capable of both continual broods and/or diapause, as conditions require.
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