Kite Swallowtails, Swordtails, Jays
Leptocircini
Classification
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Subphylum: Hexapoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Superfamily: Papilionoidea
- Family: Papilionidae
- Subfamily: Papilioninae
- Tribe: Leptocircini
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Leptocircini: //ˌlɛptoʊˈsɜrkɪnaɪ//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Images
Summary
Leptocircini is a diverse tribe of swallowtail butterflies, consisting of notable genera including Eurytides, Graphium, and Lamproptera. They are recognized for their striking appearance and important ecological roles as pollinators.
Physical Characteristics
Swallowtail butterflies typically exhibit large, distinctive tails on the hindwings, with bright and variable coloration patterns.
Identification Tips
Look for the characteristic tail-like extensions on the hindwings and prominent coloration patterns typical of swallowtail butterflies.
Habitat
Leptocircini butterflies are found in a variety of habitats, including tropical and subtropical regions, deciduous and evergreen forests, and open grasslands.
Distribution
This tribe has a global distribution, with roughly 140 species spread across nine genera, and includes one native North American species, Protographium marcellus.
Diet
Adults typically feed on nectar from a variety of flowers, and larvae generally feed on host plants which can include species from the families Rutaceae, Fabaceae, and others.
Life Cycle
Leptocircini butterflies undergo complete metamorphosis with distinct egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages.
Reproduction
Reproduction involves laying eggs on host plants that caterpillars will feed on upon hatching.
Predators
Natural predators include birds, wasps, and spiders, which rely on visual detection to find these butterflies.
Ecosystem Role
As pollinators, they play an important role in the reproductive cycles of many flowering plants.
Economic Impact
Their presence can indicate the health of an ecosystem, and they may also attract ecotourism in regions where they are abundant.
Collecting Methods
- Netting
- Observation and photography
Preservation Methods
- Drying
- Pinning
Evolution
This tribe is part of the Papilioninae subfamily within the Papilionidae family, adapting to various ecological niches over evolutionary time.
Similar Taxa
Tags
- Leptocircini
- Swallowtail
- Butterflies
- Eurytides
- Graphium
- Conservation