The Papilionidae family has over 700 species distributed all over the world. This family includes some of the largest butterflies in the world with wingspans reaching 25cm or more, they also have some of the smallest attaining a wingspan of less than25mm. Most of these family are strong fliers. The eggs are usually spherical shaped. The larvae have a strong smelling forked horn, generally brightly coloured that can be erected just behind the head to scare off and warn predators. The pupae are angular with two projecting points at the head end and are usually formed upright within a silken girth.

Papilionidae are a family of butterflies that contains swallowtail and birdwing butterflies. They are strong fliers with three fully developed pairs of legs. Many swallowtails have distinctive tailed wings (hence the family name). They lay spherical eggs. These butterflies are found from the tropics to more temperate regions.