Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes Fabricius, 1775
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Upper surface of wings mostly black; on inner edge of hindwing is a black spot centered in larger orange spot. Male has yellow band near edge of wings; female has row of yellow spots. Female hindwing with iridescent blue band. In the Southwest, yellow forms predominate in the subspecies P. coloro.
Wing Span: 3 1/4 - 4 1/4 inches (8 - 11 cm).
Life History: Males perch and patrol for receptive females. Female lays eggs singly on leaves and flowers of the host, which are then eaten by hatching larvae. Hibernates as a chrysalis.
Flight: One-2 flights from April-October in northern regions of range; 3 flights in southern regions.
Caterpillar Hosts: Leaves of plants in the parsley family (Apiaceae) including Queen Anne's Lace, carrot, celery and dill. Sometimes plants in the citrus family (Rutaceae) are preferred.
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including red clover, milkweed, and thistles.
Habitat: A variety of open areas including fields, suburbs, marshes, deserts, and roadsides.
Range: Most of the eastern U.S., north into Quebec, west into s. Saskatchewan, Colorado and se. California; south to n. South America. Subspecies coloro in desert Southwest.
Conservation: Not usually of concern.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: Maintain open fields in East.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 9759 verified sightings
Observation date: May 19, 2025
Submitted by: DeepSkyKelly
Region: Union County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 20, 2025
Observation date: Sep 08, 2024
Submitted by: Mary Scott
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: May 19, 2025
Observation date: May 16, 2025
Submitted by: commentator
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: May 17, 2025
Observation date: May 14, 2025
Submitted by: commentator
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: May 17, 2025
Observation date: May 07, 2025
Submitted by: Eric Hartshaw
Region: Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: May 12, 2025
Observation date: May 07, 2025
Submitted by: jwileyrains
Region: Connecticut, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 07, 2025
Observation date: May 04, 2025
Submitted by: jwileyrains
Region: Connecticut, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 07, 2025
Observation date: May 01, 2025
Submitted by: jwileyrains
Region: Connecticut, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 07, 2025
Observation date: Mar 29, 2025
Submitted by: sasd
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 25, 2025
Observation date: Apr 21, 2025
Submitted by: Gordon Berman
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Apr 22, 2025
Observation date: Feb 13, 2025
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 14, 2025
Observation date: Apr 10, 2025
Submitted by: prairiegardenlady
Region: Madison County, Iowa, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Apr 10, 2025
Observation date: Apr 03, 2025
Submitted by: marilynne
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Apr 03, 2025
Observation date: Mar 21, 2025
Submitted by: polylepis
Region: Galveston County, Texas, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Mar 23, 2025
Observation date: Jul 02, 2023
Submitted by: billd
Region: Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Mar 19, 2025
Observation date: Apr 04, 2024
Submitted by: jtlturne
Region: Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Mar 19, 2025
Observation date: Sep 02, 2024
Submitted by: Roose
Region: Saginaw County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: elsner
Verified date: Feb 27, 2025
Observation date: Aug 09, 2024
Submitted by: actuallyamagpie
Region: Butler County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jan 09, 2025
Observation date: Jul 18, 2023
Submitted by: emma.stevens
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jan 03, 2025
Observation date: Aug 20, 2019
Submitted by: see_me1st
Region: Warren County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Nov 20, 2024
Observation date: Jul 19, 2024
Submitted by: Fayla
Region: Ocean County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Nov 17, 2024
Observation date: Aug 14, 2023
Submitted by: Rjromano
Region: Sussex County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Nov 14, 2024
Observation date: Aug 30, 2024
Submitted by: emmylu12
Region: Newport News, Virginia, United States
Verified by: drerbium
Verified date: Oct 28, 2024
Observation date: Jul 23, 2011
Submitted by: Mike L
Region: Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: davidwright
Verified date: Oct 14, 2024
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