Graphium

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iGraphium
Common Bluebottle
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Ditrysia Infraorder: Rhopalocera Superfamily: Papilionoidea Family: Papilionidae Subfamily: Papilioninae Tribe: Leptocircini Genus: Graphium Scopoli, 1777
Species
(Incomplete list; 100+ total) Graphium agamedes Graphium agamemnon Graphium angolanus Graphium antheus Graphium antiphates Graphium aristeus Graphium arycles Graphium bathycles Graphium cloanthus Graphium codrus Graphium colonna Graphium delessertii Graphium doson Graphium eurous Graphium eurypylus Graphium evemon Graphium glycerion Graphium idaeoides Graphium leonidas Graphium macleayanus Graphium megarus Graphium nomius Graphium policenes Graphium polistratus Graphium porthaon Graphium sarpedon Graphium tynderaeus Graphium weiski Graphium xenocles

Graphium is a genus of mostly tropical swallowtail butterflies commonly known as swordtails. Native to Eurasia, Africa, and Oceania, the genus is represented by over 100 species. Their coloration is as variable as the habitats they frequent; from rainforest to savannah. Some possess tails which may be long and swordlike, while others lack any hindwing extensions. Graphium species are often sighted at mud puddles.

The more colourful species are popular with collectors and are commonly seen mounted in frames for sale. Well-known species include the Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon); Common Bluebottle (G. sarpedon); and the Purple-spotted Swallowtail (G. weiskei). One species, G. idaeoides, is notable for being a perfect mimic of the danainid Idea leuconoe. The monotypic genus Protographium is closely related to Graphium, and is endemic to Australia.

[edit] References

• Miller, L. D., and Miller, J. Y. (2004). The Butterfly Handbook, pp. 20–25, 52. Barron's Educational Series, Inc.; Hauppauge, New York. ISBN 0-7641-5714-0
• Smart, P. (1976). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Butterfly World. ISBN 0-600-31381-6