Machaon - Papilio machaon L.
The Machaon butterfly is considered one of the most beautiful butterflies of the mid-latitudes. Due to its unique appearance, it is in high demand among moth enthusiasts and collectors. Almost everyone is familiar with this butterfly, which boasts its bright coloration and relatively large size.
These butterflies belong to the family Papilionidae, and their existence became known thanks to the works of the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus. This occurred in 1758. The butterfly is named after the ancient Greek physician Machaon, who was a therapist and surgeon, and also participated in the Trojan War of 1194 BC on the side of the Greeks.
The wings of the Machaon are bright yellow, with a wingspan reaching 80–90 mm. The forewings have black spots, lines, and stripes. At the base of the wings, there is a large black triangular spot with a yellow hue. The hindwings are mainly yellow, with a blue band along the outer edge bordered by black, ending with a large orange spot. The inner edge of the hindwings extends into a long tail-like projection.
From these butterflies, through unique processes, caterpillars of a green hue with numerous black stripes and many red dots emerge. They appear at a length of no more than 2 millimeters. A special gland, shaped like orange "horns," is located in the segment before the thorax.
The caterpillar's gland secretes a substance with an unpleasant aroma, which repels some natural enemies. Most of the day, the caterpillars lie motionless, curled up, mimicking bird droppings to avoid attracting the attention of birds. When disturbed, a retractable gland behind the caterpillar's head protrudes outward in the form of a long orange-red fork, emitting a specific odor.
They live on the foliage of carrots, dill, parsley, and other types of umbrella plants, feeding on them.
The last generation always overwinters in the form of pupae, which differ in gray or green coloration. With the arrival of spring, after the frosts, adult individuals emerge. After hatching, the butterflies sit still for a while before dispersing across the area. Butterflies fly from May to August. They flutter in open spaces and on grassy hilltops.
The Machaon is not toxic and usually does not pose a threat to human health. They are not poisonous butterflies but have a special gland that emits unpleasant smells and chemicals. There is no need for excessive concern.
Distribution: throughout Kyrgyzstan
INSECTS OF KYRGYZSTAN
