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 433 - 456 of 1138 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 02, 2016
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 03, 2016
Observation date: May 19, 2016
Submitted by: DCLinck
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 26, 2016
Observation date: Jun 06, 2016
Submitted by: N Weasel
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 26, 2016
Observation date: May 19, 2016
Submitted by: DCLinck
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 26, 2016
Observation date: Jul 24, 2016
Submitted by: PDunwiddie
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 26, 2016
Observation date: Jun 29, 2016
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Placer County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 25, 2016
Observation date: Feb 15, 2015
Submitted by: DCLinck
Region: Santa Barbara Island County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 24, 2016
Observation date: Sep 02, 2004
Submitted by: WatchinTheSky
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 21, 2016
Observation date: Jul 08, 2016
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 11, 2016
Observation date: Jun 26, 2016
Submitted by: RichHubie
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 27, 2016
Observation date: Jun 15, 2015
Submitted by: Zach Eckert
Region: King County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 23, 2016
Observation date: Jun 18, 2016
Submitted by: SMulhearn
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2016
Observation date: Jun 12, 2016
Submitted by: hexC0DE
Region: El Paso County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jun 19, 2016
Observation date: May 14, 2016
Submitted by: Sue Orlowski
Region: Lincoln County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 24, 2016
Observation date: May 15, 2016
Submitted by: A.Y.Liang
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 23, 2016
Observation date: May 02, 2016
Submitted by: A.Y.Liang
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 23, 2016
Observation date: May 03, 2016
Submitted by: A.Y.Liang
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 23, 2016
Observation date: May 16, 2016
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 22, 2016
Observation date: May 15, 2016
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 22, 2016
Observation date: May 07, 2016
Submitted by: randimal
Region: Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 19, 2016
Observation date: May 03, 2016
Submitted by: Sue Orlowski
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 19, 2016
Observation date: May 08, 2016
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 13, 2016
Observation date: May 08, 2016
Submitted by: PDunwiddie
Region: Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 11, 2016
Observation date: May 05, 2016
Submitted by: PDunwiddie
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 10, 2016
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