Papilioninae

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Papilionoidea
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Papilioninae: /ˌpæpɪlioʊˈnaɪni/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Papilio indra (Indra swallowtail butterfly) by James St. John. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.

Short-tailed Swallowtail, Elliston by D. Gordon E. Robertson. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Eurytides marcellus 19zz by Photo by David J. Stang. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Lepidoptera, rhopaloceres and heteroceres, indigenous and exotic; with descriptions and colored illustrations (1872) (14777401525) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a No restrictions license.

Papilio machaon caterpillar by Miroslava Serova. Used under a Copyrighted free use license.

Eurytides marcellus 26zz by Photo by David J. Stang. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Summary

Papilioninae is a diverse subfamily of swallowtail butterflies within the Papilionidae family, characterized by their distinctive morphological traits and broad ecological adaptability. Most species are found in tropical regions, where they have a rich diversity of host plants for their larvae.

Physical Characteristics

Morphological characteristics include specific scaling and structure of antennae and legs, structure of palpi, distinctive wing venation, pattern, and pigmentation. Males possess dorsal bristles on their hind wings and a basal spur on their front wings.

Identification Tips

Identification can be made based on specific morphological features such as wing venation, antennae structure, and unique patterns.

Habitat

Papilioninae can thrive in a variety of habitats, such as tropical forests, alpine areas, and even subarctic regions.

Distribution

Species are globally distributed but are predominantly found in tropical and warmer regions, with species richness greatest in the tropics.

Diet

Larvae feed on a wide range of host plants, which contributes to their evolutionary success. Preferences can vary widely, especially in tropical regions where plant diversity is higher.

Life Cycle

Larvae hatch and remain on a designated host plant (food plant) until they reach adulthood.

Evolution

The ability of Papilioninae to exploit a broad array of food plants and their successful adaptation to various habitats have contributed to their evolutionary success.