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 601 - 624 of 9883 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 20, 2021
Submitted by: Cardinal52
Region: Fayette County, Kentucky, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Dec 31, 2021
Observation date: Oct 05, 2021
Submitted by: Christian.Nunes
Region: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Dec 29, 2021
Observation date: Aug 07, 2021
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Dec 22, 2021
Observation date: Sep 13, 2021
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Dec 22, 2021
Observation date: Aug 28, 2021
Submitted by: jamesvonloh
Region: Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Dec 22, 2021
Observation date: Aug 15, 2020
Submitted by: Pilli-palla
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Dec 20, 2021
Observation date: Aug 15, 2020
Submitted by: Pilli-palla
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Dec 19, 2021
Observation date: Aug 29, 2019
Submitted by: Jacquikk
Region: Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: Allen B
Verified date: Dec 08, 2021
Observation date: Aug 04, 2019
Submitted by: pmrules21
Region: Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: Allen B
Verified date: Dec 08, 2021
Observation date: Aug 05, 2018
Submitted by: sweetcorn
Region: Frederick County, Maryland, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Dec 05, 2021
Observation date: Aug 11, 2020
Submitted by: ginamartha
Region: Washington County, Maryland, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Dec 05, 2021
Observation date: Jun 08, 2020
Submitted by: jrtindall
Region: Mercer County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: Allen B
Verified date: Dec 04, 2021
Observation date: Aug 07, 2019
Submitted by: jrtindall
Region: Mercer County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: Allen B
Verified date: Dec 04, 2021
Observation date: Aug 01, 2019
Submitted by: tll123
Region: New Jersey, United States
Verified by: Allen B
Verified date: Dec 04, 2021
Observation date: Jun 15, 2021
Submitted by: Bogfinder
Region: Queens County, New York, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Dec 03, 2021
Observation date: Aug 15, 2020
Submitted by: Eldiem
Region: Hancock County, Mississippi, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Dec 01, 2021
Observation date: Jul 15, 2021
Submitted by: lisagorn
Region: Otsego County, New York, United States
Verified by: rosslayberry
Verified date: Nov 30, 2021
Observation date: Sep 18, 2021
Submitted by: eric_hough
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Nov 25, 2021
Observation date: Jun 24, 2017
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Nov 21, 2021
Observation date: Aug 10, 2020
Submitted by: michael marantz
Region: Union County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: Allen B
Verified date: Nov 18, 2021
Observation date: Jun 03, 2021
Submitted by: jrtindall
Region: Mercer County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: Allen B
Verified date: Nov 18, 2021
Observation date: Sep 25, 2021
Submitted by: Gregkjones1753
Region: District of Columbia, United States
Verified by: Allen B
Verified date: Nov 18, 2021
Observation date: Sep 29, 2021
Submitted by: Ed Rothwell
Region: Iowa County, Iowa, United States
Verified by: Eric Wood
Verified date: Nov 17, 2021
Observation date: Aug 13, 2021
Submitted by: adamschaffer
Region: Benton County, Arkansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 11, 2021
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