THE SWALLOW-TAILS 



confluent, yellow spots extending from the apex to the basal 

 half of the inner margin. There is near the base of the hind 

 wings a yellow band, which, when the wings are spread, is 

 continuous with the longitudinal row of spots of the front 

 wings. There is also a row of yellow spots extending from 

 the middle of the longitudinal row on the front wings to near 

 the anal angle of the hind wings. 



This species pertains especially to the South ; but it appears 

 to be slowly and steadily invading the North. There are 

 four broods of this butterfly in Florida and two at the north- 

 ern limit of its distribution. 



This is the species commonly known as Papilio cresphontes ; 

 but it was first named thoas by Linnaeus. 



Caterpillar. — Length about two inches. The front part 

 of the body is much expanded. In color it is reddish mot- 

 tled brown ; a saddle at the middle, the two or three rear seg- 

 ments, and the stripes at the side near the front are dirty 

 cream white. There is a row of more or less obscure eye- 

 spots across the swollen thoracic segment. 



Food-plants. — Orange and other citrus foliage, rue, prickly 

 ash, Lombardy poplar, and others. 



On broad and leisurely wing the giant papilio 

 is invading the North. It is still sufficiently rare 

 in the New England and Middle States, so that 

 there the heart of the butterfly lover stands still 

 when he gets a glimpse of these magnificent 

 black wings crossed with brilliant yellow, wings 

 that look on the under side as if they were lined 

 with some delicate lemon-colored fabric which 



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