Papilio machaon

801-9864 [Papilio machaon]

 

Papilio machaon - a common but beautiful butterfly - is resting

on a Phlomis fruticosa plant and collecting energy from the sun

so that she has enough “fuel” for the rest of the day.

 

Wingspan 70-80 cm

Flight period: February to November

 

 

 

804_0427 [Papilio machaon]

 

machaon’s caterpillar

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos in 2022

Papilio machaon 3 (Caterpillar)

[Papilio machaon-larva]

Swallowtail’s caterpillars are extremely colorful; something that makes them easily spotted by their predators. On the other hand, extreme colors are a warning to birds that extremely colorful caterpillars are also extremely distasteful!

Up to 5 cm long.

Mt. Hymittos: 2007, © Tony Taglides