Ornythion Swallowtail
Papilio ornythion Boisduval, 1836
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Upper forewing spots are yellow-white; marginal row of spots is close to outer edge of wing. Tails are wide and all black. Female has 2 forms: one resembles the male and one is mostly black with a marginal row of large gray-green spots on upperside of hindwing.
Wing Span: 3 1/4 - 4 1/2 inches (8.3 - 11.5 cm).
Life History: Not reported.
Flight: Probably 2 from April-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Leaves of citrus trees (Rutaceae family).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Citrus groves and gardens.
Range: Mexico and Guatemala. Occasional in central and south Texas and New Mexico; rare in southern Arizona and Kansas.
Conservation: Not noted.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None required for occasional colonist from tropics.
Comments: NULL
National Moth Week was July 23-31, 2022!
Moths are amazing creatures. Take photographs and share your moth sightings with us to document the moths where you live. Learn more.
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 30 verified sightings
Observation date: May 23, 2015
Submitted by: Robalero
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 23, 2015
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA (Jim Ebner)
Region: United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Aug 11, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA (F.R. Hedges)
Region: United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Aug 11, 2011
Observation date: Jun 24, 2003
Submitted by: stevecary (Christopher Rustay)
Region: Harding County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Feb 05, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA (F.R. Hedges)
Region: United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: BAMONA (Jim Ebner)
Region: United States
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2010
Observation date: Oct 17, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 03, 2007
Observation date: Nov 01, 2002
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Verified date: Jan 29, 2007
Observation date: Oct 07, 2004
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Region: Texas, Starr County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier (North American Butterfly Association (NABA) of South Texas))
Verified date: Jan 29, 2007
Observation date: Sep 26, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Dale Clark)
Region: Dallas County, Texas, United States
Verified by: nick.grishin (Nick Grishin)
Verified date: Nov 14, 2006
Observation date: Sep 25, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (S.C.Engdahl)
Region: Texas, Kerr County, United States
Verified by: nick.grishin (Nick Grishin)
Verified date: Nov 14, 2006
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Pecos County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Meade County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Chaves County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Brewster County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Terrell County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Kenedy County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Durango, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Eddy County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Presidio County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Rooks County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
- 1 of 2
- next ›