398 ANNUAL KEPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 19 3 5 



THE KITE SWALLOWTAILS 



The most characteristic species of this section, such as our zebra 

 swallowtail {Papilio inarcellus^ pi. 13, fig. 78; pi. 14, fig. 89), the 

 "scarce swallowtail" of England {P. podalirius), and the silky 

 white swallowtails of South America {P. protesilaus, etc.), are white 

 and have the wings shaped somewhat like a paper kite. 



The caterpillars, like those of the fluted swallowtails, have the 

 third segment behind the head enlarged, the body tapering very 

 gradually toward the tail and more abruptly toward the head. There 

 are no eye spots or oblique bands, the pattern consisting of small 

 dots or several transverse lines on each segment. 



In the butterflies the antennae have a more distinct club than in 

 the two other sections, and the upper side of the antennae is scaled, 

 though in most species the scales readily fall off. 



The abdominal margin of the hind wings is broadened in the 

 males, and usually bears a distinct scent organ. The scaling of the 

 wings is often less dense than in the fluted swallowtails, the wings 

 in many species becoming transparent outwardly. The bodies of the 

 kite swallowtails are rigid and brittle, and most of them are easily 

 killed by a slight pinch. 



The kite swallowtails are cosmopolitan, but they do not range 

 so far north or south as the fluted swallowtails, and they are not so 

 numerous in species as the other two sections. They also vary less 

 in size, and the upper and lower surfaces of their wings differ less 

 in color. The largest {Papilio payeni evan) is not over 5i/^ inches 

 in expanse, and some scarcely exceed 2i/^ inches. Most of them are 

 between 3 and 4 inches in expanse. The American kite swallowtails 

 show a greater variety in structure, shape, and pattern than the 

 Old World species. Some of the species, like some of the species of 

 fluted swallowtails, are mimics of other butterflies. 



In their habits the kite swallowtails show less diversity than do 

 the swallowtails of other groups. They are nervous, quick, and 

 rather shy, with a rapid direct flight which usually is rather low. 

 They live chiefly in rugged open country, or in partly wooded 

 regions, but a few are forest dwellers. They are especially common 

 in the scattered brush on the edges of forests and on land once 

 cultivated but abandoned and grown up to brush. 



The caterpillars for the most part feed on plants of the custard- 

 apple family (Anonaceae). 



OUR NATIVE KITE SWALLOWTAILS 



In the eastern portion of the United States the black and white 

 striped zebra swallowtail {Papilio marcellus^ pi. 13, figs. 78; pi. 14, 

 fig. 89) is locally quite common. The individuals seen in early 



