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 933 verified sightings
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
Observation date: May 22, 2025
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 24, 2025
Observation date: Aug 14, 2011
Submitted by: hank4044
Region: Lake County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: May 05, 2025
Observation date: Apr 28, 2025
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 01, 2025
Observation date: Apr 04, 2025
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 18, 2025
Observation date: Mar 20, 2025
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 22, 2025
Observation date: Mar 09, 2025
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 10, 2025
Observation date: Mar 08, 2025
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 10, 2025
Observation date: Aug 24, 2024
Submitted by: Jennabrooke
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Feb 12, 2025
Observation date: Mar 27, 2024
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 14, 2024
Observation date: Aug 19, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 20, 2024
Observation date: May 23, 2021
Submitted by: Buddy Mays
Region: Jefferson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 14, 2024
Observation date: Jul 14, 2024
Submitted by: pmckern
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 21, 2024
Observation date: Jul 03, 2024
Submitted by: Karen Richardson
Region: Plumas County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 11, 2024
Observation date: Jun 24, 2024
Submitted by: TomPeterson
Region: Tulare County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 01, 2024
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