Pale Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon Lucas, 1852
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Upper surface of wings creamy white with black stripes. Front wing is narrow and pointed; tail of hindwing is long, slender and twisted.
Wing Span: 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 inches (6.4 - 9 cm).
Life History: Males perch and patrol for receptive females. Females lay eggs singly on host plant leaves. Caterpillars feed on leaves and rest on silken mats in shelters of curled leaves. Pupae hibernate.
Flight: One flight from April-July, many flights in southern California from March-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Trees and shrubs in the Rosaceae, Rhamnaceae and Betulaceae families including cherry (Prunus emarginata), coffee-berry (Rhamnus californica), and ash (Fraxinus spp.).
Adult Food: Flower nectar including California buckeye, yerba santa, and wallflower.
Habitat: Foothills, open woodlands, chaparral, streamsides.
Range: British Columbia east to Montana, south to New Mexico. California and Baja California.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None noted.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 973 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 06, 2026
Submitted by: pdxgene711
Region: Linn County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 06, 2026
Observation date: Jun 22, 2026
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Lassen County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 04, 2026
Observation date: Jun 30, 2026
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 02, 2026
Observation date: Jun 17, 2026
Submitted by: sandyleapt
Region: Benton County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 29, 2026
Observation date: Jun 24, 2026
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Santa Cruz County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 29, 2026
Observation date: May 24, 2026
Submitted by: soshannak
Region: Chelan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 27, 2026
Observation date: Jun 01, 2026
Submitted by: lewismagpie
Region: San Juan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 17, 2026
Observation date: Jun 14, 2026
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jun 14, 2026
Observation date: Jun 05, 2026
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 13, 2026
Observation date: Jun 08, 2026
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jun 10, 2026
Observation date: Apr 22, 2026
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 31, 2026
Observation date: May 30, 2026
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 30, 2026
Observation date: May 18, 2026
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: May 25, 2026
Observation date: May 21, 2026
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: May 25, 2026
Observation date: May 21, 2026
Submitted by: Buddy Mays
Region: Jefferson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 25, 2026
Observation date: May 24, 2026
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 25, 2026
Observation date: May 14, 2026
Submitted by: RoxannaTessman
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 25, 2026
Observation date: May 25, 2026
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: May 25, 2026
Observation date: May 14, 2026
Submitted by: blgreco
Region: Archuleta County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: May 17, 2026
Observation date: May 12, 2026
Submitted by: Dogoszhi
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 13, 2026
Observation date: May 07, 2026
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: May 10, 2026
Observation date: May 05, 2026
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: May 06, 2026
Observation date: Mar 09, 2026
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Orange County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 16, 2026
Observation date: Feb 21, 2026
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 23, 2026
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