Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon Lucas, 1852
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Upper surface of hindwing has yellow-orange eyespot near tail with round black center that is not connected to hindwing margin. Anal cell of hindwing is primarily yellow.
Wing Span: 2 3/4 - 3 1/2 inches (7 - 9 cm).
Life History: Males perch on hilltops and patrol for receptive females. Female lays eggs singly on host plant leaves and flowers. Young caterpillars eat leaves while older ones eat flowers. Chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: One flight from April-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Many species in the parsley family (Apiaceae), and some in the citrus family (Rutaceae).
Adult Food: Not reported.
Habitat: Bare hills, mountains, gardens, fields, vacant lots, and roadsides.
Range: From British Columbia southeast to North Dakota, south to s. California, Arizona, New Mexico; Baja California; Mexico. A rare stray to central Nebraska and eastern North Dakota.
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: None noted.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 1114 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 30, 2012
Submitted by: RobSimpson
Region: Park County, Montana, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Aug 06, 2025
Observation date: Jul 12, 2025
Submitted by: klamke
Region: Sioux County, Nebraska, United States
Verified by: Emily Geest
Verified date: Jul 31, 2025
Observation date: Jul 30, 2025
Submitted by: baileyjt
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 30, 2025
Observation date: Jul 26, 2025
Submitted by: Patricia12
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 27, 2025
Observation date: Jul 24, 2016
Submitted by: laineypiland
Region: Skagit County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 25, 2025
Observation date: Jul 11, 2025
Submitted by: regina rochefort
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 20, 2025
Observation date: Jul 12, 2025
Submitted by: Sophia Reyes
Region: Santa Cruz County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 13, 2025
Observation date: Jul 04, 2025
Submitted by: Sophia Reyes
Region: San Mateo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 06, 2025
Observation date: Jul 02, 2025
Submitted by: regina rochefort
Region: Skagit County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 05, 2025
Observation date: Jun 27, 2025
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Jackson County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jun 29, 2025
Observation date: May 13, 2025
Submitted by: hasfitz5
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 18, 2025
Observation date: Jun 01, 2025
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Jefferson County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jun 08, 2025
Observation date: May 21, 2025
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Plumas County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 27, 2025
Observation date: May 11, 2025
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 12, 2025
Observation date: Apr 07, 2025
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Santa Cruz County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 18, 2025
Observation date: Apr 05, 2025
Submitted by: yhelfman
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 07, 2025
Observation date: Apr 05, 2025
Submitted by: yhelfman
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 07, 2025
Observation date: Apr 04, 2025
Submitted by: Anafb
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 05, 2025
Observation date: Mar 29, 2025
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 31, 2025
Observation date: Mar 24, 2025
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 27, 2025
Observation date: Mar 20, 2025
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 22, 2025
Observation date: Mar 19, 2025
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 20, 2025
Observation date: May 20, 2013
Submitted by: dbryant562
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Mar 20, 2025
Observation date: Jul 01, 2012
Submitted by: RobSimpson
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 17, 2025
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