About Papilio maackii Ménétriés, 1859
Papilio maackii Ménétriés, 1859, also called the Alpine Swallowtail, has a wingspan that ranges from 12 to 14 centimeters, or 5 to 6 inches. Its body is black and dotted with scattered green scales. In male individuals, the forewings are black and speckled with numerous green scales; all wing undersides are brown. The hindwings are black, speckled with blue and purple scales, feature a tail shape, and have an eyespot located on the edge closest to the body. The undersides of the hindwings are darker brown, with a row of red or orange spots along the edge. Females are more brightly and vibrantly colored than males, and have additional red and blue spots behind the green band that runs across both of their wings. This butterfly lives along forest edges adjacent to grasslands that have plentiful bushes. Females typically lay their eggs on the leaves of prickly ash and cork oak.
