Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Victorine Swallowtail
Papilio victorinus Doubleday, 1844


Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Wings mostly black; no tails on hindwings. Underside of male hindwing with marginal and postmedian bands of red spots. Two female forms: one resembles male, the other has wide green band on upper hindwing.
Wing Span: 3 3/4 - 4 3/8 inches (9.5 - 11 cm).
Life History: Eggs are laid singly; caterpillars resemble bird droppings. Chrysalids overwinter and look like a piece of wood.
Flight: Several flights from January-November.
Caterpillar Hosts: Avocado tree (Persea americana).
Adult Food: Flower nectar including Lantana and Impatiens.
Habitat: Mid-elevation moist-wet tropical forests.
Range: El Salvador north into Mexico. An infrequent stray into south Texas.
Conservation: Not required for tropical stray.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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