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Photo#275463
Two-tailed Swallowtail - Papilio multicaudata - female

Two-tailed Swallowtail - Papilio multicaudata - Female
Lakewood, Jefferson County, Colorado, USA
July 24, 2006
Confirming Papilio multicaudata, Two-tailed Swallowtail

several ways you can tell gender
In yours (yes, she's definitely a girl), it's the color pattern that gives it away. Generally the females have distinct blue in the dark border of the hind wing, and light pigmenting in the middle of the border of the front wing. In the males the dark border is usually more nearly solid black, and the blue may be absent entirely (though there is usually a little bit). The dark markings also tend to be wider in females, and the wings just a tad less elongate, giving a slightly blockier appearance to the butterfly. The shape of the abdomen is also a bit different, wider in the middle, and more evenly shaped. When seen from the proper angle, the structures at the tip of the abdomen are different in males and females, but you can't see that in this shot.

 
helpful description, male and female
This is a great description of the visual gender differences. I'm sure it will be helpful to others besides myself. Thanks for adding it.

definitely correct
She's lovely.

 
thanks + female features?
Thanks David. So I should tag as female? How do you tell the difference?

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