Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1055297

Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes

Observation date: June 24, 2015
Submitted by: jnystrom
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: We found this species as a caterpillar in the garden at my daycare center. It was found on a dill plant, which it was devouring. I don't think I have any pictures of its caterpillar state, but I have one of the chrysalis. The caterpillar, as I recall, had a light green body with yellow markings, and was about 2" long. We placed it in a bucket with lots of dill, and it ate and ate and ate, and pooped lots of black balls the size of a pin head (the children found that hilarious, and so did I!) On 6/28/15 it formed a chrysalis (see picture), which it stayed in until 7/8/15 (about 10 days), when it turned dark, and emerged as a butterfly (see picture.) The colors were black and light yellow, and it had small tails at the bottom of each wing, one of which got damaged and fell off. Within 24 hours it was flying in the butterfly pop-up house we had, and it was clear it needed more room. I would estimate the wingspan of the butterfly was between 4-5". We released it on 7/9/15, and watched it fly around and up very competently.
Status: Resident
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: July 18, 2015
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, Michigan, Washtenaw County