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 337 - 360 of 1136 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 23, 2019
Submitted by: Diane R Halpin
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 26, 2019
Observation date: Jun 27, 2018
Submitted by: jim meissner
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2019
Observation date: Jun 12, 2019
Submitted by: dsperanza
Region: Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 19, 2019
Observation date: Jun 11, 2019
Submitted by: Zach Eckert
Region: Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 14, 2019
Observation date: Jun 10, 2019
Submitted by: alicecas
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 11, 2019
Observation date: Jun 01, 2019
Submitted by: Zeshio
Region: Lewis County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 02, 2019
Observation date: May 13, 2019
Submitted by: jetboulder@aol.com
Region: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: May 28, 2019
Observation date: Apr 22, 2019
Submitted by: Lemon_and_Licorice
Region: Yuba County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 23, 2019
Observation date: Apr 20, 2019
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 20, 2019
Observation date: Mar 26, 2019
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 27, 2019
Observation date: Mar 26, 2019
Submitted by: zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 26, 2019
Observation date: Mar 14, 2019
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 14, 2019
Observation date: Oct 21, 2018
Submitted by: 3marmots
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 21, 2018
Observation date: May 02, 2018
Submitted by: mbalame99
Region: Clatsop County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 13, 2018
Observation date: Sep 10, 2018
Submitted by: Fritz Riedel
Region: Del Norte County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 24, 2018
Observation date: Apr 10, 2016
Submitted by: checkking
Region: Madera County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 05, 2018
Observation date: May 20, 2005
Submitted by: hydapse
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 07, 2018
Observation date: Jul 15, 2018
Submitted by: PDunwiddie
Region: Clallam County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 19, 2018
Observation date: Jul 08, 2018
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Placer County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 18, 2018
Observation date: Jul 15, 2018
Submitted by: Hahalua
Region: Lincoln County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 15, 2018
Observation date: Aug 15, 2017
Submitted by: glennfine
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 13, 2018
Observation date: Jul 10, 2018
Submitted by: naers
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 11, 2018
Observation date: Jun 28, 2018
Submitted by: Celeste Southworth
Region: Curry County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 28, 2018
Observation date: Jun 21, 2018
Submitted by: Souledout
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 25, 2018
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