Specimen No. 02 — Old World Swallowtail

Papilio machaon

Few butterflies are as instantly recognizable as the Old World Swallowtail. Dressed in bold sulphur yellow and adorned with intricate black patterning, blue moonspots, and vivid red eyespots, this species has captivated naturalists and artists for centuries. Its elongated hindwing tails give it a graceful, almost architectural quality in flight.

One of the most widely distributed butterflies in the world, it ranges across Europe, Asia, and into North America, yet loses none of its distinction for its familiarity.

Each specimen is professionally mounted and presented in a modern natural history frame, positioned to showcase the full detail and symmetry of the wings. Natural variation between specimens is inherent to working with biological material, making each piece uniquely its own.