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Matt Rowlings

 

This group is fairly straight forward to separate except P. machaon and P. saharae which overlap in extreme desert regions of N Africa. Geography is a useful guide.

1a) Swallowtail, Papilio machaon
      - All of Europe, absent from most of the UK.
      - Underside forewing. Outer edge of dark post discal band is straight.
      - Forewing basal areas black.
      - Veins lined black.

1b) Corsican Swallowtail, Papilio hospiton
      - Only on Corsica and Sardinia, but flies with P. machaon above.
      - Underside forewing. Outer edge of dark post discal band is deeply indented.
      - Unh white basal steak is long and sweeps to a very acute angle to the costa.
      - Veins lined black.

1c) Southern Swallowtail, Papilio alexanor
      - Greece, Greek islands and SE France (plus the extreme NW Italy).
      - Underside forewing. Dark post discal band is reaches the costa.
      - Forewing basal areas are not black.
      - Veins not lined black.

1d) Desert Swallowtail, Papilio saharae
      - Desert regions of S Morocco, S Algeria and S Tunisia.
      - Almost indistinguishable from P. machaon. Larvae differ distinctly.
      - Antennal segment count is 30-31 in P. saharae, 33-36 in P. machaon.
 

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