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 265 - 288 of 1135 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 30, 2020
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 31, 2020
Observation date: Aug 25, 2020
Submitted by: Patricia12
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 26, 2020
Observation date: Aug 14, 2020
Submitted by: Mags131
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 15, 2020
Observation date: Aug 14, 2020
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 14, 2020
Observation date: Aug 01, 2020
Submitted by: zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 01, 2020
Observation date: Jun 03, 2013
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Hood River County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 23, 2020
Observation date: Mar 30, 2012
Submitted by: cjbruchman
Region: Marin County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 23, 2020
Observation date: Jun 22, 2020
Submitted by: carpecarp
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 22, 2020
Observation date: Jul 14, 2020
Submitted by: Crsoak
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 15, 2020
Observation date: Jul 31, 2012
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Clallam County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 11, 2020
Observation date: Jul 23, 2017
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 06, 2020
Observation date: Jul 03, 2020
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 06, 2020
Observation date: Jun 27, 2020
Submitted by: Team Kweeper
Region: Amador County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 27, 2020
Observation date: Jun 10, 2020
Submitted by: Will Mc
Region: Orange County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 25, 2020
Observation date: Jun 23, 2020
Submitted by: cecelia92563
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 24, 2020
Observation date: Jun 12, 2020
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Plumas County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 18, 2020
Observation date: May 29, 2020
Submitted by: A_baldini
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jun 14, 2020
Observation date: Jun 04, 2020
Submitted by: dlister
Region: Kitsap County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 07, 2020
Observation date: Jun 06, 2020
Submitted by: Mom_124
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 06, 2020
Observation date: May 08, 2020
Submitted by: Dwaine Wagoner
Region: Natrona County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 05, 2020
Observation date: Jun 03, 2020
Submitted by: Brush_lady
Region: Benton County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 03, 2020
Observation date: May 27, 2020
Submitted by: Zach Eckert
Region: Yakima County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 01, 2020
Observation date: May 16, 2020
Submitted by: Jem
Region: El Dorado County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 31, 2020
Observation date: May 23, 2020
Submitted by: pdxgene711
Region: Clackamas County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 25, 2020
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