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 337 - 360 of 9870 verified sightings
Observation date: May 09, 2023
Submitted by: tmlehman
Region: Huntington County, Indiana, United States
Verified by: jmgesell
Verified date: May 10, 2023
Observation date: Apr 29, 2023
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 06, 2023
Observation date: Apr 17, 2023
Submitted by: bonfrey
Region: Grant County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 04, 2023
Observation date: May 03, 2023
Submitted by: TraderAcres
Region: Texas, Midland County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: May 04, 2023
Observation date: Apr 30, 2023
Submitted by: PONYRCR
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 01, 2023
Observation date: Apr 12, 2023
Submitted by: Robert Schoenberg
Region: Harris County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 28, 2023
Observation date: Mar 14, 2023
Submitted by: Sheilabean
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 21, 2023
Observation date: Mar 13, 2023
Submitted by: Sheilabean
Region: Texas, Tarrant County, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Apr 21, 2023
Observation date: Apr 16, 2023
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Otero County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Apr 20, 2023
Observation date: Mar 24, 2023
Submitted by: Seth Mueller
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 17, 2023
Observation date: Apr 15, 2023
Submitted by: Dennis Forsythe
Region: Charleston County, South Carolina, United States
Verified by: Dennis Forsythe
Verified date: Apr 15, 2023
Observation date: Apr 10, 2023
Submitted by: asombro_institute
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Apr 14, 2023
Observation date: Apr 07, 2023
Submitted by: billd
Region: Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: Emily Geest
Verified date: Apr 10, 2023
Observation date: Mar 28, 2023
Submitted by: JolieElise
Region: Harris County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 03, 2023
Observation date: Mar 29, 2023
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Mar 29, 2023
Observation date: May 02, 2006
Submitted by: lizmcd
Region: Garrett County, Maryland, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Mar 15, 2023
Observation date: Jun 22, 2020
Submitted by: lizmcd
Region: Garrett County, Maryland, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Mar 15, 2023
Observation date: Mar 09, 2023
Submitted by: dennygranstrand
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Mar 10, 2023
Observation date: Feb 26, 2023
Submitted by: John Gibbons
Region: Wakulla County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 02, 2023
Observation date: Feb 26, 2023
Submitted by: John Gibbons
Region: Wakulla County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Mar 02, 2023
Observation date: Feb 10, 2023
Submitted by: jmgesell
Region: Sarasota County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 16, 2023
Observation date: Aug 08, 2016
Submitted by: B Winch
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Feb 01, 2023
Observation date: Aug 31, 2016
Submitted by: Bizliz
Region: United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 29, 2023
Observation date: Jul 31, 2016
Submitted by: Kenhollingsworth
Region: United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 29, 2023
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