The European swallowtail is perhaps one of our rarest and most beautiful butterflies. The endemic race that occurs in Britain (Papilio machaon britannicus) is found only in the Norfolk Broads. It is yellow in colour with stunning black markings with a red spot on the hind wings capped with blue. The underside is somewhat paler in colour. Initially the young caterpillars resemble a bird dropping, which protects them from being eaten by potential predators. After a couple of moults, the plump, large caterpillar will have developed a bright green body with black bands along the body and yellowish-orange spots.