Old World Swallowtail
Papilio machaon Linnaeus, 1758
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Upperside of hindwing near tail has reddish-orange eyespot with black along lower border touching inner edge of hindwing or at least not a centered eyespot.
Wing Span: 2 1/2 - 3 inches (6.5 - 7.5 cm).
Life History: Females lay eggs singly on the host plant, and newly-hatched caterpillars eat the leaves. Older caterpillars feeding on plants of the parsley family prefer to eat the flowers. Chrysalids overwinter.
Flight: In north, one flight in late May-July; two flights in south.
Caterpillar Hosts: Sagebrushes (Artemisia species), including Arctic wormwood and wild tarragon, rarely plants in the parsley family.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Open hilltops, mountain meadows, tundra.
Range: Holarctic. In North America, south from Alaska to northern British Colombia, east across Canada to western Quebec. Southern British Colombia south through New Mexico. Comments: Includes , P. oregonius and P. bairdii.
Conservation: Not noted as of concern, but is rare or uncommon.
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 73 - 96 of 404 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 05, 2015
Submitted by: Sue Orlowski
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 11, 2015
Observation date: Jun 28, 2015
Submitted by: Paul Prappas
Region: Okanogan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 11, 2015
Observation date: Jun 27, 2015
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Northwest Territories, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Jul 06, 2015
Observation date: Jun 07, 2015
Submitted by: alchem30
Region: Saskatchewan, Canada
Verified by: alchem30
Verified date: Jun 18, 2015
Observation date: Jul 17, 2014
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Yukon Territory, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 27, 2014
Observation date: Aug 21, 2014
Submitted by: matthewjcampbell
Region: Walla Walla County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 27, 2014
Observation date: Jun 22, 2014
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Yukon Territory, Canada
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Jun 26, 2014
Observation date: Jun 04, 2014
Submitted by: Waskeyroad
Region: Dillingham, Alaska, United States
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Jun 15, 2014
Observation date: May 15, 2014
Submitted by: plex1ppus
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 27, 2014
Observation date: Sep 05, 2013
Submitted by: COA1955
Region: Morgan County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Dec 08, 2013
Observation date: Jun 26, 2013
Submitted by: LJodwalis
Region: Yukon-Koyukuk, Alaska, United States
Verified by: Norbert Kondla
Verified date: Jul 20, 2013
Observation date: Jun 15, 2040
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (unknown)
Region: Clark County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 11, 2035
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Charles Rudkin)
Region: Clark County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Apr 22, 1986
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (George T. Austin)
Region: Lincoln County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jun 12, 2035
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Charles Rudkin)
Region: Clark County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Jul 30, 1987
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (William S. Swisher)
Region: Coconino County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Dec 01, 2012
Observation date: Apr 22, 1998
Submitted by: pcastrovillo
Region: Boise County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: kent
Verified date: Feb 29, 2012
Observation date: Aug 06, 1980
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (George T. Austin)
Region: Elko County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 05, 1980
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Felix Sperling)
Region: Coconino County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: May 27, 1980
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Felix Sperling)
Region: Coconino County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport (Ken Davenport)
Verified date: Jan 01, 2012
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA (Jim Ebner)
Region: United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Aug 18, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: RaisingButterfl... (Todd Stout)
Region: Tooele County, Utah, United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Aug 11, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: RaisingButterfl... (Todd Stout)
Region: Tooele County, Utah, United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Aug 11, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: RaisingButterfl... (Todd Stout)
Region: Tooele County, Utah, United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Aug 11, 2011
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