Old World Swallowtail - Machaon

Description:

The old world swallowtail is found throughout much of the northern hemisphere. It occurs over the whole of continental Europe, eastward across temperate Asia to Japan; in Africa north of the Sahara; and throughout much of North America. This beautiful large butterfly is highly adaptable and can use a variety of habitats and foodplants.

Habitat:

Alpine meadow, alt. 1800 m.This meadow was home to 2 pairs busy chasing each other up.

Notes:

In the UK, in the last 100 years the average wingspan of swallowtails, and the average width of their thorax, have reduced in size. This is an indicator of genetic impoverishment, which could to result in further contraction of their already diminishing number and eventually extinction. Expansion of the gene pool could only be accomplished by the introduction of genetically richer livestock from Europe.