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 217 - 240 of 1135 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 03, 2021
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 08, 2021
Observation date: Jul 31, 2021
Submitted by: Patricia12
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 01, 2021
Observation date: Jul 24, 2021
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 26, 2021
Observation date: Jun 08, 2021
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Routt County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 23, 2021
Observation date: Jul 18, 2021
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 19, 2021
Observation date: Jul 09, 2021
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 14, 2021
Observation date: Jul 10, 2021
Submitted by: RoxannaTessman
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 11, 2021
Observation date: Jul 08, 2021
Submitted by: Kathy Early
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 09, 2021
Observation date: Jul 02, 2021
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Modoc County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 05, 2021
Observation date: Jul 02, 2021
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 03, 2021
Observation date: Jul 02, 2021
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 03, 2021
Observation date: Jun 10, 2021
Submitted by: twofried
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 29, 2021
Observation date: Jun 10, 2021
Submitted by: Harry Forbes
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 29, 2021
Observation date: Jun 02, 2021
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 17, 2021
Observation date: Jun 12, 2021
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Jefferson County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 13, 2021
Observation date: May 20, 2021
Submitted by: Kresnick
Region: Marin County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 22, 2021
Observation date: Apr 30, 2021
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Shasta County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 20, 2021
Observation date: May 08, 2021
Submitted by: jhintermeister
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 17, 2021
Observation date: Jul 10, 2018
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Wallowa County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 15, 2021
Observation date: May 06, 2021
Submitted by: Sparkleponyrn
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 07, 2021
Observation date: May 05, 2021
Submitted by: kathy lichtendahl
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: May 07, 2021
Observation date: May 02, 2021
Submitted by: Sumac
Region: San Francisco County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 05, 2021
Observation date: Aug 18, 2019
Submitted by: MobiusKlein
Region: San Francisco County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 18, 2021
Observation date: Apr 15, 2021
Submitted by: Birder2
Region: Sherman County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 16, 2021
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