Papilionidae

This small family is composed of diurnal butterflies. There are 18 species in Canada.

Swallowtails are quick and powerful fliers that are usually fairly large and colourful. The family includes the largest diurnal butterflies the world – the birdwing butterflies of Australia and southeast Asia (or Ornithoptera), some of which have wingspans as long as 25.5 cm. The family also includes some of the largest and most spectacular species in North America.