Swallowtail Butterflies

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Subphylum: Hexapoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Lepidoptera

Family: Papilionidae

There are around 550 species of butterfly in this family. Most species are large and brightly colored.

Swallowtail butterflies are found on all continents, except Antarctica. Most species are found in warm, tropical climates.

Swallowtail butterflies get their name from the tail-like extension on the hindwings of many species in this family.

Caterpillars in this family have a forked organ on their heads called the osmeterium that emits a foul-smelling odor when the caterpillar is disturbed by a predator.