| Broad-tailed swallowtail butterfly |
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| Profile |
| Scientific
name: |
Agehana maraho (Shiraki
& Sonan) |
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| Features: |
The
Broad-tailed swallowtail butterfly is a large swallowtail
with a wingspan of 9.5-10cm. Their forewings are blackish-brown
in color, their hind wings bear a large, white spot in their
central discals and surrounding areas, and they have a series
of red, crescent-shaped markings on the outer margins of their
wings. The species' most distinguishing characteristic is
its extraordinarily broad, red tail that runs through the
third and fourth veins of its wings. Females have the same
appearance and wing patterns as males, but are larger. |
| Behavior: |
The
larvae of Broad-tailed swallowtail butterflies feed on Sassafras
randaiensis leaves and pass through five instars before metamorphosing
into adults. During the first through fourth instars, the
larvae look like bird dung, whereas in the fifth and final
instar, they take on a greener appearance. The pupae of Broad-tailed
swallowtail butterflies are beige in color and use silk pads
to attach themselves to branches during the winter; adults
emerge between spring and summer. |
| Habitat: |
Broad-tailed
swallowtail butterflies are endemic to Taiwan and usually
seen in Sassafras randaiensis forests at 1000-2000m elevations
in central and northern Taiwan, especially in the Taiping
Mountain and Lala Mountain areas. The southernmost area in
which they can be found is in Kaohsiung County's Tengzhi. |
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