Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Ruby-spotted Swallowtail
Papilio anchisiades Esper, 1788


Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Large and black with no tails. Female\'s upper forewing cell has diffuse white patch; hindwing has postmedian pink patch.
Wing Span: 2 3/4 - 4 inches (7 - 10 cm).
Life History: Females lay eggs in groups on host plant leaves. Caterpillars rest in clusters on host plant during the day and feed at night; they all feed and molt at the same time.
Flight: Several from May-October.
Caterpillar Hosts: Trees in the citrus (Rutaceae) family including Citrus, Casimiroa, and Zanthoxylum species.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Lowland tropical forests, citrus groves, gardens.
Range: From south Texas south to Argentina. A rare stray to Kansas, southeast Arizona, and west Texas.
Conservation: Not usually required. Status should be determined in south Texas (may be extirpated).
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None noted.
Comments: NULL