A Família Papilionidae (Lepidoptera, Insecta) No Estado Do Pará

Abstract

The Papilionidae family, widely distributed in the Neotropical region, is of paramount importance in studies of biogeography and insect-plant interaction, and is used as a bio-indicator in environmental impact studies. Specimens of this family are easily recognized by their caudiform extensions on the terminal part of each hind wing. Their flight is fast and powerful, of medium or large size, with showy colored wings, they are found on flowers and sunny environments. This work aimed to survey the species of the Papilionidae family in the state of Pará, complementing the survey of butterfly species in the Brazilian Amazon in order to publish a scientific paper. The material analyzed is deposited in the entomological collection of the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Several books and papers were used for species identification, such as Boliino et al. 2001; DeVries 1987; Lewis 1987; Tyler et al. 1994; Moss 1919. A total of 514 specimens were analyzed. The family Papilionidae is divided into three tribes, five genera, and 31 species. Moss (1919) described twenty-two species of the Papilionidae family in Pará State, however, due to a greater number of studies and collections, in the present work we found a larger number of species.