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

Verified Sightings

Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 verified sightings
Observation date: Jan 12, 2022
Submitted by: David F Smith
Region: Oaxaca, Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jan 26, 2023
  Details
Observation date: Aug 10, 2007
Submitted by: redfishin
Region: Mexico
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jan 24, 2023
  Details
Observation date: Mar 14, 2013
Submitted by: janeth13
Region: Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Verified by: Charlie Doggett
Verified date: Aug 04, 2022
  Details
Observation date: Feb 05, 2014
Submitted by: janazak
Region: Morelos, Mexico
Verified by: Doug Taron
Verified date: Apr 01, 2014
  Details
Observation date: Oct 12, 2012
Submitted by: John van Dort
Region: Francisco Morazán, Honduras
Verified by: John van Dort
Verified date: Oct 14, 2012
  Details
Observation date: Oct 17, 2006
Submitted by: legacy.reporter (Mike Overton, Paul Opler)
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier (Mike Overton)
Verified date: Oct 03, 2007
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Nuevo Leon, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Tamaulipas, Mexico
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Texas, Webb County, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
  Details