Giant Swallowtail
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Papilionidae Genus: Papilio Species: P. Arthropods are Animals belonging to the Phylum Arthropoda (from Greek ἄρθρον arthron, " Joint " Insects ( Class Insecta) are a major group of Arthropods and the most diverse group of Animals on the Earth with over a million described Lepidoptera is an order of Insect that includes Moths and butterflies. Swallowtail butterflies are large colorful Butterflies which form the family Papilionidae. Papilio is a Genus in the Swallowtail butterfly family, Papilionidae. cresphontes
Binomial name
Papilio cresphontes

The Giant Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio cresphontes) is a swallowtail butterfly common in various parts of North America, particularly the south and east. Swallowtail butterflies are large colorful Butterflies which form the family Papilionidae. With a wingspan of about 10-16 cm^[1] , it is the largest butterfly in the United States. A butterfly is an Insect of the order Lepidoptera. Like all Lepidoptera butterflies are notable for their unusual life cycle with a The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

Contents 1 Larva 2 Adult 3 Images 4 References

Larva

Giant Swallowtail caterpillars feed primarily on citrus plants, prickly ash, and hoptrees. Caterpillars are the Larval form of a member of the order Lepidoptera (the Insect order comprising butterflies and Moths Citrus is a common term and Genus of Flowering plants in the family Rutaceae, originating in tropical and subtropical southeast regions of They are known as Orange Dogs to citrus farmers because of their destructive capabilities.

The caterpillar has two effective adaptations for defense against birds. An adaptation is a characteristic of an Organism that has been favored by Natural selection and The first is a reddish osmeterium that is extended when the insect is provoked, releasing foul-smelling pheromones thought to deter birds. The osmeterium is a fleshy organ found in the prothoracic segment of Larvae (caterpillars of Swallowtail butterflies including Birdwings. A pheromone (from Greek φέρω phero "to bear" + ‘ορμόνη " Hormone " is a Chemical that triggers a natural The larva are also camouflaged to resemble bird droppings. A larva ( Latin; plural larvae) is a juvenile form of Animal with indirect development, undergoing Metamorphosis (for example Camouflage is a method of cryptic or concealing coloration that allows an otherwise visible Organism

Adult

The adults' wings are black, with two striking yellow stripes across the forewings and hindwings. Insect wings are outgrowths of the Insect Exoskeleton that enable insects to fly. Insect wings are outgrowths of the Insect Exoskeleton that enable insects to fly.

Giant Swallowtails feed on the nectar of a variety of flowers, but are known to enjoy azalea, bougainvilla, goldenrod, Japanese honeysuckle, and milkweed ^[2]. Nectar is a Sugar -rich liquid produced by plants It is produced either by the Flowers in which it attracts pollinating animals or by extrafloral Azaleas are flowering Shrubs making up part of the genus Rhododendron. Bougainvillea is a genus of Flowering plants native to South America from Brazil west to Peru and south to southern Argentina The goldenrod is a yellow Flowering plant in the Family Asteraceae. The Japanese Honeysuckle ( Lonicera japonica; Suikazura 水[[wiktionary 鬘|鬘]] or スイカズラ in Japanese) is a species of

Images

Giant swallowtail larva on lemon leaf.

Larva showing defensive behavior.

References

1. ^ Giant Swallowtail. (2006). In Butterflies and Moths of North America. Retrieved April 15, 2007, from http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1366
2. ^ Giant Swallowtail. (2006-2007). In Featured Creatures. Retrieved April 15, 2007, from http://creatures.ifas.ufl.edu/citrus/GiantSwallowtail.htm

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