1
Reading time approx. 3 minutes
The swallowtail butterfly appears more and more often in Hungarian gardens. Neither the moth nor its caterpillar should be harmed – there is a heavy fine.
Powerful swallowtail butterfly photographed in his garden by a HelloVidék reader. The discovery is not surprising, since they are appearing more and more often in Hungarian virgos gardens. They start flying when the first major warm weather arrives, but due to the late cold or even frosty days of recent years and the intensive use of chemicals, their numbers have decreased considerably in certain areas. Once they are protected, there is a heavy fine for destroying them.
There is a fine for destroying the popular butterfly
The swallowtail butterfly earned it last year the “Moth of the Year” title in the program launched by the Butterfly Protection Department of the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Association (MME). Among the natural habitats of the species, which can be found in many areas in our country, we can mention fresh groves in plains and hills, as well as the edges of deciduous forests. Nowadays, however, they can be observed more and more often even in garden cities.
It is important that the swallowtail butterfly is protected, so if it appears in our yard, do not harm it or scare it away. The conservation value of the species included in the Red Book is HUF 10,000.
Don’t be alarmed if you see such a moth in your garden: it is not harmful and you can be fined if you hurt itWestend61 / Getty Images Hungary
After the butterfly in domestic gardens occurs more and more often in both caterpillar and adult form, we should pay close attention to them, so for example do not use strong chemicals in the garden, or when picking dill proceed with caution.
It appears more and more often in domestic gardens as well
The swallowtail butterfly is a very widespread species worldwide; almost populates the entire northern hemisphere. It is found in North America, Europe, Asia, and a small part of North Africa.
The basic color of the butterfly is usually pale yellow, but it can also be whitish, and for the spring generation it can be even sulfur yellow. Its black pattern is characteristic, and bands of blue scales can be seen on the back wings. On these wings, we can also see a reddish-orange eye-like spot, as well as a tail extension, which also inspired its name.
The caterpillar is also very distinctive. The young caterpillar resembles bird droppings, so it can remain unnoticed by predators.
The caterpillar can also appear on the leaves of kapron and carrot, and it is equally fine if you destroy itNaturfoto Honal / Getty Images Hungary
After the last molt, its basic color changes to bright green, pale green or yellowish green, decorated with black transverse stripes and yellow, orange or red dots. It can hide its pattern extremely well on its host plants.
In our gardens, we often come across it on kapron, cumin or carrot leaves.
It cannot cause significant damage, so we should not feel sorry for the few plants that let it develop in place. It is interesting that when it is alarmed, it releases an orange horn-shaped organ (osmeterium) from behind its head, which emits a sweet smell, creating a bad taste.
Dog lovers, get ready!
DOGZ is coming, the biggest dog festival of the year! We are waiting for you on September 7th with dog walks, veterinary advice, dog shows, dog & owner photography and many other free programs on the Városliget Nagyrét.
Exchange tickets for exciting performances on the DOGZ festival stage!
ad
#people #rule #fine #Hungarian #gardens
2024-08-11 14:30:41
#people #rule #fine #Hungarian #gardens
2024-08-11 14:30:42