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The Swallowtail Butterflies

The swallowtail butterfly family, Papilionidae, consists of at least 550 species, many of which are large and colorful and recognizable even to non-specialists.

The name "swallowtail" refers to a tail-like extension on the edge of the hindwing that is found in many, though not all, papilionids. The function of this tail is not known, but genetic studies in some species of Papilio suggest the tail is a labile character whose expression is controlled by a single gene (Clarke and Sheppard 1960, Clarke et al. 1968). (after "The Swallowtail Butterflies" by Robert D. Reed and Felix A.H. Sperling).

Clarke, C.A., and P.M. Sheppard. (1960).: The evolution of mimicry in the butterfly Papilio dardanus.; Heredity 14: 163-173.

Clarke, C.A., P.M. Sheppard, and I.W.B. Thornton. (1968.): The genetics of the mimetic butterfly Papilio memnon L.; Phil. Tran. Roy. Soc. London, ser. B. 254: 37-89.