Swallowtail Butterflies

Size and Family

• Family: Swallowtails

• Size: Large

• Wing Span Range (male to female): 80-90mm

Conservation Status

• Butterfly Conservation priority: Medium

• Fully Protected in Great Britain under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act

• European status: Not threatened

  Habitat:

The British race britannicus breeds only in open fens and marshes that support vigorous growths of Milk-parsley. The butterfly prefers areas of mixed fen usually dominated by sedge, or sometimes reed, which are cut periodically and contain tall, prominent foodplants. The occasional migrants of gorganus can be found in almost any habitat but are most frequently seen on grassland near the south coast of England.