Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1234228

Giant Swallowtail
Papilio cresphontes

Observation date: September 09, 2019
Submitted by: thepethealer
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: After seeing a Giant Swallowtail quickly pass through my yard on 9/8/19, I checked all of my Rue on 9/9 & found 13 first instar caterpillars. The only other time I saw Giant Swallowtails was August 2017 & I was able to raise & release 12 butterflies August 2017 and 12 in May/Jun 2018. No sightings in 2018, only one 2019. As of 9/21/19, 10 of the 13 are almost full grown (second photo taken 9/21)
Status: Resident
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: September 21, 2019
Coordinator notes: None.
Checklist region(s): United States, New York, Suffolk County