Swallowtail

The British subspecies of Swallowtail (Papilio machaon britannicus) is endemic to the UK. It is restricted in its range by a very specific habitat requirement for fenland and its range was greatly reduced during the drainage and reclamation of the fens for agriculture during the nineteenth century. P.m.britannicus is probably restricted to fenland because of its choice of foodplant, only laying its eggs on Milk Parsley which is itself restricted to a fenland habitat.

Nowadays, britannicus can only be found in the fenlands centred around the Norfolk Broads.

I took the following photographs of britannicus in 2011 & 2012.

Swallowtail (P.m.britannicus)

Males.

Female.

(Although not apparent from the image, the female is noticeably larger than the male and has a heavier looking abdomen)

In good migration years, the continental subspecies of the Swallowtail (Papilio machaon gorganus) is occasionally seen in southern England. It is much more of a wanderer and is not restricted by its choice of foodplant. It can lay its eggs on a number of common species such as wild carrot, wild parsnip and fennel.

I took the following photographs of gorganus, seen by several enthusiasts on the East Sussex downs in 2013.

Swallowtail (P.m.gorganus)

Female.