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Since ancient times, the most beautiful representatives of insects were butterflies. Many species possessed not only an attractive appearance, but also a pleasant name. So, the butterfly sailing podaliria got its name from the ancient Greek doctor Podaliria. You can get acquainted with his story in mythology.
Where can I see?
This type of butterfly rarely lives in the same area. More often they migrate from different parts. These insects are able to fly long distances in search of new housing. Due to this, they can be found in many places. Favorable conditions include the steppes and forest-steppes, often the tundra. Podalirium is well settled in Turkey, Africa and many European countries with a warm climate. Migrants can fly to the countries of Scandinavia. These butterflies are well established in Finland.
Description of the appearance of the butterfly and species
The color of the butterflies is very eye-catching. The wings have yellow hues, which depict vertical wedge-shaped stripes. Usually there are up to seven pieces. The lower wings contain a speck of orange-black color. Along the perimeter are visible semicircles that darken towards the edges. There are also small tails on the bottom. Their length reaches 1.5 cm. From below, they end with a white blot. When flying, the wings reach 9 cm in length. However, in the standing position, their size is 4-6 cm. Males of this species are smaller than females. They like to spin in the hills.
Fact! The color of butterflies may vary depending on which subspecies it belongs to.
Alpine have short and wide wings, the stripes as a result of this become larger. Vergatus generally has no stripes in its snow-white color. Many experts attribute this subspecies to a separate species. The swallowtail butterfly is sometimes attributed to him. However, in podalirium, the color of the wings is sharp and aggressive. While the swallowtail is dominated by soft, bed shades. But the main difference between the two species is that only the sailboat has blue semicircles on the underside of the wings.
In the name of this butterfly is the word sailboat. This is due to the fact that when observing her in a sitting position, she will resemble a ship sailing on the river in its sails.
The sad fact is that this species is listed in the Red Book of many countries. Despite the fact that there are many individuals, their number is reduced due to the lack of food. In some places, these butterflies completely disappear. This is due to the release of harmful chemicals into the atmosphere, the felling of trees and the development of plots for settlements. Podalirium is also food for caterpillars.
Podalirium prefers the wilderness. You can meet in areas with high vegetation. These can be large glades, forest edges, slopes and mountain peaks. It is important that there are many bushes in these places. But this insect, although it lives in such an environment, loves to fly to visit a person in the gardens. Therefore, quite a few photos are published with this beautiful view.
Lifestyle
Full development of the most beautiful insects occurs in one year. In May, pupae appear, which in the summer become butterflies. Sometimes there are species that are able to fly until September. Sailboats are divided into two generations. The first contains a bright orange strip at the bottom of the wings. The latter do not have it.
The life of Podaliria depends on the habitat. So, in some areas of the second generation you can not wait. The first flies from May to July. There are no butterflies in the mountains.The maximum height to which they rise is 2 km.
Food
In the caterpillar position, podalirii butterflies can feed on hawthorn, peach. Their place of replenishment of food reserves are apple trees, cherry trees, mountain ash. As described above, butterflies love shrubs with abundant vegetation, so they prefer lilac, cornflowers or viburnum. Nutrition occurs at night. Rarely do they eat in the morning.
Breeding
Courtship of a female begins with flying around her, attracting her future mother with beautiful wings. Eggs are laid on the leaves of shrubs. It is important for future parents that the plant is a feed. Only then do they lay one egg on the underside of the leaves. Egg development occurs in a week. They have an oblong shape, have a dark shade with two yellow rings. The top is red.
The caterpillar hatching from the egg stretches well in the middle. Its length at the initial stage is about 3 cm. The rest has a longitudinal shape and a dark green color, as well as caterpillars of other species. All appear in one place, but after this, many cubs flee to different places. This is due to the fact that everyone is trying to find for themselves the most comfortable territory for pupation.
The color of the caterpillar begins to lighten. Such a process indicates that pupation will occur soon. In order to turn into a butterfly, podalirium chooses dense vegetation or crevices in the trees. There they feel safe. An important condition is the location of such places near the earth's surface.
The doll has a green color with two stripes on the back, located in parallel. The tummy has light colors. The period in which podalirium is a pupa lasts about 11 days in the summer. After it there is a transformation into the second generation of this species. In winter, the pupae live until spring and then turn into a beautiful individual.
Video: Butterfly Podalirius (Iphiclides podalirius)
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