Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Androgeus Swallowtail
Papilio androgeus Cramer, 1775


Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Male has elongated forewing and very short and narrow hindwing tails. Uppersides of fore- and hindwings have very broad yellow bands and no marginal rows of yellow spots. Females are black; hindwings each have 3 narrow pointed tails and blue iridescence on upperside.
Wing Span: 5 1/4 - 5 1/2 inches (13.4 - 14 cm).
Life History: Males patrol for receptive females. Eggs are laid singly; caterpillars resemble bird droppings. Chrysalids overwinter.
Flight: Many flights from April- October.
Caterpillar Hosts: Leaves of trees in citrus (Rutaceae) family orange (Citrus sinensis) and Zanthoxylum elephantiasis.
Adult Food: Nectar from a variety of flowers.
Habitat: Overgrown citrus groves in Florida; tropical forests in central and south America.
Range: Mexico to Argentina; small population in south Florida.
Conservation: Not required. May be extirpated in the United States.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None required.
Comments: NULL