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 289 - 312 of 1136 verified sightings
Observation date: May 23, 2020
Submitted by: pdxgene711
Region: Clackamas County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 25, 2020
Observation date: May 16, 2020
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 18, 2020
Observation date: May 16, 2020
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 17, 2020
Observation date: May 11, 2020
Submitted by: Brush_lady
Region: Klickitat County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 12, 2020
Observation date: May 10, 2020
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 10, 2020
Observation date: May 08, 2020
Submitted by: PONYRCR
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 08, 2020
Observation date: Apr 27, 2020
Submitted by: sarabseth
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 30, 2020
Observation date: Apr 22, 2020
Submitted by: alicecas
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 22, 2020
Observation date: Apr 14, 2020
Submitted by: shuncheung
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 15, 2020
Observation date: Apr 07, 2020
Submitted by: enabreu
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 09, 2020
Observation date: Apr 01, 2020
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 03, 2020
Observation date: Mar 18, 2020
Submitted by: daperson
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 18, 2020
Observation date: Mar 12, 2020
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: San Mateo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 13, 2020
Observation date: Mar 03, 2020
Submitted by: StevebrownLepid
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 05, 2020
Observation date: Mar 02, 2020
Submitted by: Sumac
Region: San Francisco County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 02, 2020
Observation date: Feb 27, 2020
Submitted by: cevmendo
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 28, 2020
Observation date: May 04, 2019
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jan 31, 2020
Observation date: Jul 16, 2011
Submitted by: pcastrovillo
Region: Idaho County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Dec 05, 2019
Observation date: Nov 24, 2019
Submitted by: Patricia12
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 25, 2019
Observation date: Jun 03, 2018
Submitted by: tirvine2020
Region: San Mateo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 08, 2019
Observation date: Jun 05, 2018
Submitted by: Monarchspirit
Region: Columbia County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 02, 2019
Observation date: Sep 05, 2019
Submitted by: Linda Fink
Region: Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 06, 2019
Observation date: Apr 30, 2019
Submitted by: flatus
Region: Klickitat County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 03, 2019
Observation date: Jul 20, 2019
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Fremont County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 26, 2019
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