swallowtail

Everyday

1. A swallowtail is a large, brightly coloured butterfly with long points on its back wings that look like the forked tail of a swallow (a bird). tree →
2. Swallowtail can describe any shape with a deep forked end, like a swallowtail flag or swallowtail coat. tree →

In the lessons

Science and nature: swallowtails are a big family of butterflies found around the world; the UK's swallowtail lives only in the Norfolk Broads. Their caterpillars can push out a smelly orange «horn» to scare off birds. Life cycle: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly.

Examples

• A yellow swallowtail landed on the flower. tree →
• The swallowtail butterfly has long tails on its wings. tree →
• In the UK, swallowtails live in the Norfolk Broads. tree →
• The swallowtail caterpillar was green with black stripes. tree →
• The ship flew a swallowtail flag. tree →
• We drew a swallowtail for our minibeast project. tree →

Note

Countable, one word. Named after the bird, the swallow, which has a forked tail. Not to be confused with «swallow» (to gulp down food).