Papilionidae: Papilioninae

06960 Swallowtail Papilio machaon, Linnaeus, 1758

BF1539 (ABH56.003)

Topolovo, Bulgaria. 26th May 2018. Male.
Topolovo, Bulgaria. 26th May 2018. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Topolovo, Bulgaria. 26th May 2018. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
 2010-2016
 2017
 2018
 2019
near Sofia, Bulgaria. 5th August 2017. Male.
near Sofia, Bulgaria. 5th August 2017. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Mitrovtsi, NW Bulgaria. 1st July 2015. Male.
Mitrovtsi, NW Bulgaria. 1st July 2015. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Laki, south Pirin Mtns, 7th July 2012, female
Laki, south Pirin Mtns, 7th July 2012, female
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Laki, south Pirin Mtns, 7th July 2012, female
Laki, south Pirin Mtns, 7th July 2012, female
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Laki, south Pirin Mtns, 7th July 2012, female
Laki, south Pirin Mtns, 7th July 2012, female
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Zemen Gorge area, W Bulgaria, 15th June 2016. Male.
Zemen Gorge area, W Bulgaria, 15th June 2016. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
NE Bulgaria (Durankulak), 11th June 2018.
NE Bulgaria (Durankulak), 11th June 2018.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Rupite extinct volcano, 13th May 2014, larva.
Rupite extinct volcano, 13th May 2014, larva.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Rupite, SW Bulgaria, 9th May 2014. Prepupa (as found).
Rupite, SW Bulgaria, 9th May 2014. Prepupa (as found).
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Rupite, SW Bulgaria. 04-07-2022.
Rupite, SW Bulgaria. 04-07-2022.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

The Swallowtail is a widespread and fairly common species across most of Europe.

 

It is widespread throughout Bulgaria in the lower lying areas and lower parts of the mountains with occasional individuals straying to high altitudes.

 

In our experience it is rarely seen in numbers and only occasional specimens are seen during a day in the field. Sometimes, however several may be found together hill-topping on lower hills, or puddling on damp mud and sand, in both cases sometimes in the company of Scarce Swallowtails.

 

Foodplants: Various umbellifers (Apiaceae).

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.

Wingspan: M: 76-83mm, F: 86-93mm
Foodplant(s): umbellifers (Apiacae)
Flying: Two generations, late May-early July and August
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Least Concern

Habitat

Open herbaceaous and bushy country.

Regional Information

Recorded in 81 (4.3%) of the 1900 10km squares of Bulgaria.

Last recorded in June 2019

Recorded date range (Adult): 05 May to 11 August

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 13 May to 22 June

Similar Species
Dobri Dol, NW Bulgaria. 27th June 2017.
Dobri Dol, NW Bulgaria. 27th June 2017.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Scarce Swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius

Least Concern

Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Smooth
Colours:
Green, black, yellow, white
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5