Papilio machaon aliaska

Scudder, 1869

Alaskan Old World Swallowtail

Papilio machaon aliaska is a of the Old World found in Alaska. It represents a distinct that has colonized novel plants in the Asteraceae in addition to its ancestral Apiaceae hosts. Studies indicate that larval is highest on the ancestral host Cnidium cnidiifolium when reared in controlled environments without , though field observations suggest survival advantages on novel hosts when are present. The subspecies demonstrates the complex ecological and evolutionary dynamics of host plant relationships in swallowtail butterflies.

Papilio machaon aliaska by (c) Jason Grant, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jason Grant. Used under a CC-BY license.Papilio machaon aliaska by (c) Syd Cannings, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Syd Cannings. Used under a CC-BY license.Papilio machaon aliaska by no rights reserved, uploaded by Robbie Hannawacker. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Papilio machaon aliaska: /pəˈpɪlioʊ məˈka.oʊn əˈliːæskə/

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Identification

Distinguished from other P. machaon by its Alaskan distribution. Specific morphological differences from nominate P. machaon and other subspecies are not documented in available sources. likely share the characteristic and black banded pattern of the . presumably possess the (forked, gland) typical of , though this is inferred from -level traits and not explicitly confirmed for this subspecies.

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Habitat

Central Alaska; specific not detailed in available sources. Occurs in environments supporting its three known .

Distribution

Alaska, North America. GBIF records also indicate presence in Europe and the European Union, though these may represent data entry artifacts or reflect the broader range rather than this specifically.

Diet

feed on three documented : Cnidium cnidiifolium (Apiaceae, ancestral host), Artemisia arctica (Asteraceae, novel host), and Petasites frigidus (Asteraceae, novel host). diet not specified in available sources.

Host Associations

  • Cnidium cnidiifolium - larval (ancestral)Apiaceae ; provides highest larval in controlled rearing studies without
  • Artemisia arctica - larval (novel)Asteraceae ; colonized relatively recently by P. machaon group
  • Petasites frigidus - larval (novel)Asteraceae ; colonized relatively recently by P. machaon group

Life Cycle

with , , , and stages. Larval development studied in detail; metrics include rate, pupal mass, and rate. Specific duration of developmental stages not documented in available sources.

Ecological Role

as . Larval on three documented . Potential for in field environments, with host plant choice affecting survival when present.

Similar Taxa

  • Papilio machaon (nominate subspecies)Same ; P. m. aliaska distinguished by Alaskan distribution and documented use of Asteraceae plants not typical of European
  • Other Papilio machaon subspeciesGeographic separation and associations; P. m. aliaska specifically documented to use Artemisia arctica and Petasites frigidus, which are not ancestral hosts for the

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Sources and further reading