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 361 - 384 of 1138 verified sightings
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
Observation date: May 07, 2018
Submitted by: SallyLiu88
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 24, 2018
Observation date: Jun 11, 2018
Submitted by: mojie
Region: San Juan County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Jun 22, 2018
Observation date: Jun 12, 2018
Submitted by: Zach Eckert
Region: Chelan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 14, 2018
Observation date: May 01, 2013
Submitted by: Chris Carvalho
Region: Wasco County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 05, 2018
Observation date: May 27, 2018
Submitted by: PDunwiddie
Region: Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 29, 2018
Observation date: May 21, 2018
Submitted by: RichHubie
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 24, 2018
Observation date: May 16, 2018
Submitted by: wwittkop
Region: Campbell County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: May 18, 2018
Observation date: May 07, 2018
Submitted by: kwosilait
Region: Yakima County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 15, 2018
Observation date: May 03, 2018
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 05, 2018
Observation date: Feb 21, 2018
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Orange County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 21, 2018
Observation date: Mar 28, 2017
Submitted by: diwalks2@gmail.com
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Jan 18, 2018
Observation date: Jun 10, 2017
Submitted by: terpikeraunos
Region: Mineral County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Jan 05, 2018
Observation date: Jun 10, 2017
Submitted by: terpikeraunos
Region: Mineral County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: A_baldini
Verified date: Jan 05, 2018
Observation date: Jun 14, 2016
Submitted by: jetboulder@aol.com
Region: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Oct 28, 2017
Observation date: Sep 30, 2017
Submitted by: brenthaglund
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 23, 2017
Observation date: Sep 14, 2017
Submitted by: Ggrassi
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 23, 2017
Observation date: Jun 05, 2017
Submitted by: Ggrassi
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 23, 2017
Observation date: May 27, 2017
Submitted by: Ggrassi
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 23, 2017
Observation date: May 24, 2017
Submitted by: Ggrassi
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 23, 2017
Observation date: Oct 16, 2017
Submitted by: lbschulz@gmail.com
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 16, 2017
Observation date: Oct 14, 2017
Submitted by: Canice
Region: Orange County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 15, 2017
Observation date: Aug 01, 2009
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 29, 2017
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