Ornythion Swallowtail Papilio ornythion Boisduval, 1836 | Butterflies and Moths of North America

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

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