An old glass entomological box (26x33x6 cm), museum type in perfect condition (fab.Deyrolles), containing a fine collection of nine butterflies all belonging to the genus Parides (family Papilionidae), of which the nine species represented are all well identified and all come from the tropical forests of Peru. All caterpillars of the Parides genus feed on the stems of Aristoloches (climbing lianas whose stems, leaves and flowers are all toxic, except for Parides caterpillars), from which they derive poisonous substances that protect them from most predators. During their short lives, adults feed almost exclusively, gathering only a little pollen. The males of the various species are particularly colorful, with red spots of various shapes that stand out beautifully against the black of the hindwings. The forewings are almost uniformly black, with some rare species (Parides sesostris, P.vertunnus, P. harmodius...) showing blue or white spots.
The box is as new and the individual butterflies in perfect condition.