Swallowtail

Papilio machaon Today, 3 October

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

now overwintering 198 days

overwintering Insect here all year

The whole year

1 September – 19 April

dates recorded for this region, not shifted from anywhere

Sitting the year outGetting readyYoung aboutYoung leaving

Where to look

Fennel and wild carrot on terrace edges; males hilltop, circling the highest point around.

Worth knowing

Two generations here, three in a hot year, so adults are on the wing from late March to September with two clear peaks. The caterpillar's orange forked horn is not a threat display for you — it is scent, and it works on wasps.

Look it up

photos, sightings and recordings, off this site

iNaturalist — photos and where people are seeing it Wikipedia — Papilio machaon

Regions

where this species is on the list

Dalmatian coastKvarner and IstriaVelebit and the DinaridesSlavonia and the Pannonian plainTukhlia, Ukrainian Carpathians

Phase by phase

dates as they fall in the region chosen above

Phase	When	Length	What it means
overwintering	1 September – 19 April	231 days	The species passes winter as an egg, larva or pupa; no adult is on the wing.
going about the year	20 April – 9 May	20 days	Feeding, holding territory, doing nothing the calendar singles out.
on eggs	10 May – 24 May	15 days	Clutch laid and being incubated, or buried and left to the sun.
larvae feeding	25 May – 30 June	37 days	Caterpillars, grubs or nymphs feeding and growing.
in the pupa	1 July – 19 July	19 days	Rebuilt inside a chrysalis or cocoon; the animal cannot move or feed.
adults on the wing	20 July – 31 August	43 days	The new generation is out, winged and looking for a mate.

Other insects in this region

Buff-tailed bumblebeeCommon glow-wormEuropean hornetGreat green bush-cricketHummingbird hawk-mothRose chaferScarce swallowtailStag beetleWestern honey bee

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