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Papilionidae

plural noun
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Pa·​pil·​i·​on·​i·​dae | \ pəˌpilēˈänəˌdē \

Definition of Papilionidae

: a large family (superfamily Papilionoidea) of butterflies that have all three pairs of legs well developed in both sexes, larvae usually with osmeteria, and pupae which are angular and typically attached by the anal end and a median loop of silk

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History and Etymology for Papilionidae

New Latin, from Papilion-, Papilio, type genus + -idae

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Cite this Entry

“Papilionidae.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Papilionidae. Accessed 6 December 2019.

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