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 97 - 120 of 1135 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 06, 2023
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 06, 2023
Observation date: Jul 27, 2023
Submitted by: Dobber31
Region: San Mateo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 04, 2023
Observation date: Jul 26, 2023
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 03, 2023
Observation date: Jul 10, 2023
Submitted by: regina rochefort
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 24, 2023
Observation date: Jul 11, 2023
Submitted by: Rainbowhands2
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 24, 2023
Observation date: Jun 09, 2023
Submitted by: sgguthart
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 24, 2023
Observation date: Jul 18, 2023
Submitted by: regina rochefort
Region: Skagit County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 20, 2023
Observation date: Jul 14, 2023
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 15, 2023
Observation date: Jul 14, 2023
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 15, 2023
Observation date: Jul 14, 2023
Submitted by: RoxannaTessman
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 14, 2023
Observation date: Jul 03, 2023
Submitted by: RoxannaTessman
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 12, 2023
Observation date: Jul 10, 2023
Submitted by: mashoop58
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 11, 2023
Observation date: Jul 07, 2023
Submitted by: JenniferLupine
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 10, 2023
Observation date: Jul 06, 2023
Submitted by: JenniferLupine
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 09, 2023
Observation date: Jul 03, 2023
Submitted by: Tom Uslan
Region: Yolo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 04, 2023
Observation date: Jun 11, 2023
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 03, 2023
Observation date: Jun 26, 2023
Submitted by: Dnewhall
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 28, 2023
Observation date: Jun 25, 2023
Submitted by: dfagan746
Region: Deschutes County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 28, 2023
Observation date: May 31, 2023
Submitted by: Varn
Region: Jefferson County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 24, 2023
Observation date: Jun 16, 2023
Submitted by: twofried
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 22, 2023
Observation date: Jun 03, 2023
Submitted by: alchem30
Region:
Verified by: alchem30
Verified date: Jun 06, 2023
Observation date: May 30, 2023
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Lake County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 05, 2023
Observation date: Jun 03, 2023
Submitted by: camflies
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 03, 2023
Observation date: May 26, 2023
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 28, 2023
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