"Swallowtail Butterflies: Colorful Wonders of Papilionidae" скачать в хорошем качестве

"Swallowtail Butterflies: Colorful Wonders of Papilionidae"

Papilionidae is a family of insects commonly known as swallowtail butterflies. They are large and colorful butterflies that belong to the order Lepidoptera. The family Papilionidae includes over 550 species of swallowtail butterflies. While the majority of these species are found in tropical regions, members of this family inhabit every continent except Antarctica. One notable group within Papilionidae is the birdwing butterflies, which are the largest butterflies in the world and belong to the genus Ornithoptera. Swallowtail butterflies have several distinctive features. For example, the caterpillars of Papilionidae have a specialized organ called the osmeterium on their prothorax. The osmeterium is a repugnatorial organ that remains hidden most of the time. However, when threatened, the caterpillar can extend the osmeterium outward through a transverse dorsal groove by inflating it with fluid. The name "swallowtail" is derived from the forked appearance of some species' hindwings, which can be seen when the butterfly is resting with its wings spread. The scientific name Papilionidae comes from the type genus Papilio, which is Latin for "butterfly". The specific epithets of the genus Papilio are derived from names of Greek figures associated with swallowtails. For example, the species Papilio machaon is named after Machaon, one of the sons of Asclepius mentioned in the Iliad, and Papilio homerus is named after the Greek poet Homer. The extant swallowtails are usually classified into three subfamilies: Baroniinae, Parnassiinae, and Papilioninae. These subfamilies are further divided into tribes based on morphological characteristics, food plant choices, and ecological lifestyles. In summary, Papilionidae, or swallowtail butterflies, are a diverse family of large and colorful butterflies found across the globe. They possess unique characteristics such as the osmeterium in caterpillars and distinctive forked hindwings. The family includes over 550 species, with the birdwing butterflies being the largest members.