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 947 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 09, 2025
Submitted by: Ed Rothwell
Region: Boise County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Aug 06, 2025
Observation date: Jun 24, 1986
Submitted by: papilio1
Region: Plumas County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 01, 2025
Observation date: May 28, 2025
Submitted by: Hank and Karen
Region: King County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 23, 2025
Observation date: Jul 15, 2025
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Lassen County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 21, 2025
Observation date: Jul 08, 2025
Submitted by: Debbiejo
Region: Chelan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 08, 2025
Observation date: Jun 23, 2025
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Crook County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 08, 2025
Observation date: Jun 23, 2025
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Crook County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 08, 2025
Observation date: May 23, 2025
Submitted by: DeerPark
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 06, 2025
Observation date: Jul 01, 2025
Submitted by: Babilonia
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Jul 01, 2025
Observation date: Jun 27, 2025
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 29, 2025
Observation date: Jun 20, 2025
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 24, 2025
Observation date: Jun 13, 2025
Submitted by: TomPeterson
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2025
Observation date: Jun 18, 2025
Submitted by: topper72
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 22, 2025
Observation date: Jun 18, 2025
Submitted by: RichHubie
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 21, 2025
Observation date: Jun 14, 2025
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 17, 2025
Observation date: Jun 12, 2025
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Grand County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jun 15, 2025
Observation date: Jun 10, 2025
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 11, 2025
Observation date: Jun 11, 2025
Submitted by: Varn
Region: Jefferson County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 11, 2025
Observation date: Jun 04, 2025
Submitted by: Lupine1
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 08, 2025
Observation date: Jun 03, 2025
Submitted by: Buddy Mays
Region: Jefferson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 04, 2025
Observation date: May 23, 2025
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Plumas County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 02, 2025
Observation date: May 25, 2025
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 29, 2025
Observation date: May 25, 2025
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 29, 2025
Observation date: May 21, 2025
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Plumas County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 29, 2025
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