Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Ornythion Swallowtail
Papilio ornythion Boisduval, 1836


Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Upper forewing spots are yellow-white; marginal row of spots is close to outer edge of wing. Tails are wide and all black. Female has 2 forms: one resembles the male and one is mostly black with a marginal row of large gray-green spots on upperside of hindwing.
Wing Span: 3 1/4 - 4 1/2 inches (8.3 - 11.5 cm).
Life History: Not reported.
Flight: Probably 2 from April-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Leaves of citrus trees (Rutaceae family).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Citrus groves and gardens.
Range: Mexico and Guatemala. Occasional in central and south Texas and New Mexico; rare in southern Arizona and Kansas.
Conservation: Not noted.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None required for occasional colonist from tropics.
Comments: NULL
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