Papilionidae

a family of butterflies. Papilionids are usually large, with a wingspread reaching 25 cm (for example, Papilio homerus). The coloration is bright and extremely varied; some tropical species, such as those of the genus Ornithoptera, have a metallic sheen. The hind wings often have a tail-like prolongation. Papilionids are distributed throughout the world but are particularly numerous in the tropics. There are approximately 550 species. The USSR has more than 30 species, including the apollo butterfly (Parnassius apollo), the swallowtail (Papilio machaon), and Iphiclides, or Papilio, podalirius.