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.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 774 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 02, 2020
Submitted by: jhintermeister
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 09, 2020
Observation date: Aug 03, 2020
Submitted by: VickyinSD
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 05, 2020
Observation date: Jul 11, 2020
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 14, 2020
Observation date: Jun 07, 2020
Submitted by: NealParker
Region: Island County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 07, 2020
Observation date: Jun 19, 2020
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Marin County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 05, 2020
Observation date: Jul 03, 2020
Submitted by: Quintirishmccabe
Region: Tehama County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 04, 2020
Observation date: Jun 25, 2020
Submitted by: Shoopwithcoop
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 25, 2020
Observation date: Jun 18, 2020
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 24, 2020
Observation date: Jun 20, 2020
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2020
Observation date: Jun 16, 2020
Submitted by: I Spy Butterflies
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 18, 2020