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 313 - 336 of 1136 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 24, 2019
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 26, 2019
Observation date: Jul 27, 2014
Submitted by: HansPG
Region: Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 25, 2019
Observation date: Aug 02, 2019
Submitted by: frogbandit
Region: Lincoln County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 17, 2019
Observation date: Aug 17, 2019
Submitted by: gkingery
Region: San Mateo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 17, 2019
Observation date: May 13, 2019
Submitted by: cevmendo
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 17, 2019
Observation date: Aug 15, 2019
Submitted by: gregslak
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 16, 2019
Observation date: Aug 06, 2019
Submitted by: Dilljam
Region: Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 14, 2019
Observation date: Jul 29, 2019
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 29, 2019
Observation date: Jul 24, 2019
Submitted by: Breck Breckenridge
Region: Skagit County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 25, 2019
Observation date: Jul 23, 2019
Submitted by: Scott Burgess
Region: Humboldt County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 24, 2019
Observation date: Jul 20, 2019
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 22, 2019
Observation date: Jul 06, 2019
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Josephine County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 15, 2019
Observation date: Jun 23, 2019
Submitted by: ASHLEY SMITH
Region: Placer County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 12, 2019
Observation date: Jul 10, 2019
Submitted by: pnesterenko
Region: Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Jul 12, 2019
Observation date: Jul 07, 2019
Submitted by: pnesterenko
Region: El Paso County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Jul 12, 2019
Observation date: Jul 10, 2019
Submitted by: I Spy Butterflies
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 11, 2019
Observation date: Jun 17, 2019
Submitted by: ruth ainsley
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 11, 2019
Observation date: Jun 30, 2019
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 10, 2019
Observation date: Jul 09, 2019
Submitted by: Sumac
Region: San Francisco County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 10, 2019
Observation date: Jul 02, 2019
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Sierra County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 10, 2019
Observation date: Jun 30, 2019
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 10, 2019
Observation date: Jun 30, 2019
Submitted by: Diane R Halpin
Region: Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 08, 2019
Observation date: Jun 25, 2019
Submitted by: delizabeth
Region: Placer County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 27, 2019
Observation date: Jun 25, 2019
Submitted by: delizabeth
Region: Placer County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 27, 2019
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