Papilio multicaudata
Papilio multicaudatus
Papilio multicaudatus [Note 1], also known by the English name Two -tailed Tiger Swallowtail ( " two-tailed tiger swallowtail "), a butterfly of the family of Swallowtail butterfly is ( Papilionidae ).
- 4.1 Notes and references
- 4.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The moths reach a wingspan of 100 to 120 millimeters. The forewings are generally black in color, but are shaped by the Submarginalregion and the edge completely by a large yellow area. At the front edge cut four black stripes between basal and Diskalregion, in the Diskalregion between Diskalregion and Postdiskalregion and in the Postdiskalregion, a this area. Except for the innermost strip all the other at the middle of the wing. The Intimate extends to the inner edge. The veins are black in the yellow areas, but fade towards the edge. In the Diskalregion is located under the black strip a small black dot. In the uttermost stripe runs from the Submarginalregion another, thinner black stripes. In the Submarginalregion is from the apex to the inner edge a chain of yellow spots arc which direction the inner edge are steadily thinner. Between this and the yellow area from the front edge to the inner edge of a phantom white bandage. The outer edge is easily spotted black and white. The hind wings are black and have as the front wing a big yellow area. However, this is sufficient only for Postdiskalregion. The Intimate black stripe is continued here to the inner edge. Parallel to this, in the Diskalregion, runs a much shorter black stripe. The black and white piebald outer margin is very wavy and has thus almost two tails. Directly on the outer edge there is a chain of yellow spots, which direction Analwinkel are increasingly colored red. In Analwinkel is an eye, which is filled with red, blue and orange. In addition to this run in the Postdiskalregion several circular bruises which fade towards the front edge.
The underside of the forewing is very similar to the top, but the yellow is a little paler. The spots on the outer edge meld into a binding and the spots themselves are a bit thicker. The implied, white band is now clearly visible. The underside of the rear wing has all the features of the top, which, however, are to a larger extent. The yellow is a little paler here. In the yellow area is located in the Diskalregion under the shorter strip two more strips.
There is in wing pattern no gender differences, both have the same wing drawings and the same body, which is black and has yellow stripes on the bottom.
Egg, caterpillar and chrysalis
The eggs are yellow-green with red spots. The caterpillars are green with white rings and have indicated eyes in the back part of the thorax. The pupa is green - brown and change color during pupation to green-brown.
Similar Species
- Papilio eurymedon
- Papilio glaucus
- Papilio Pilumnus
- Papilio rutulus
Subspecies
- Papilio multicaudatus pusillus
Geographical distribution and habitat
Its range extends from Canada (British Columbia), on the western half of the United States, Mexico to Nicaragua. The species prefers to live in the higher regions ( about 1400 m) at the foot of the mountains, prairies and canyons that are covered with pinyon pines.
Phenology and life
The moths fly in the northern part of the range in a generation; in the south several generations are formed. To the north is the flight time about the end of May to June in Texas from February to November and in Nicaragua practically all year round. The moths suck nectar from flowers, but occasionally nutrients from puddles and wet spots. The males are often looking for the whole day busy females. They do this especially at the bottom of ravines.
The eggs of Papilio multicaudatus are laid singly on the leaves of the caterpillar food plants.
The caterpillars feed on various species of Prunus, rock lights ( Amelanchier ), Vauquelina californica, different ash species ( Fraxinus spp.), Various privet species ( Ligustrum spp.), Various elm - related species ( Ptelea spp.) And Platanus racemosa. Willows and California laurel ( Umbellularia californica ) are doubtful.
In the regions with distinct seasons overwinter the dolls.