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 169 - 192 of 1135 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 25, 2022
Submitted by: Cindysea_u
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 25, 2022
Observation date: Jun 20, 2022
Submitted by: Patricia12
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 21, 2022
Observation date: Jun 09, 2022
Submitted by: cklindsey
Region: Garfield County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 13, 2022
Observation date: Aug 20, 2018
Submitted by: Samela95437
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 04, 2022
Observation date: May 30, 2022
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 03, 2022
Observation date: Mar 18, 2022
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: San Francisco County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 03, 2022
Observation date: May 31, 2022
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 03, 2022
Observation date: Apr 13, 2018
Submitted by: Samela95437
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 31, 2022
Observation date: May 20, 2022
Submitted by: dlister
Region: Yakima County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 24, 2022
Observation date: May 17, 2022
Submitted by: topper72
Region: Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 19, 2022
Observation date: May 18, 2022
Submitted by: Coultrain
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 18, 2022
Observation date: Apr 26, 2022
Submitted by: Wildhiker
Region: Douglas County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: May 17, 2022
Observation date: May 06, 2022
Submitted by: carlysummer
Region: Malheur County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 10, 2022
Observation date: May 04, 2022
Submitted by: Linda Fink
Region: Lincoln County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 04, 2022
Observation date: May 01, 2022
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Klickitat County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 04, 2022
Observation date: Apr 07, 2022
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 16, 2022
Observation date: Jul 03, 2017
Submitted by: yhelfman
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 02, 2022
Observation date: Mar 01, 2015
Submitted by: yhelfman
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 31, 2022
Observation date: Mar 17, 2022
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 21, 2022
Observation date: Mar 08, 2022
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 21, 2022
Observation date: Aug 13, 2013
Submitted by: A.Y.Liang
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Mar 12, 2022
Observation date: May 18, 2016
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 26, 2022
Observation date: Jul 26, 2018
Submitted by: Vic
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 24, 2022
Observation date: May 19, 2019
Submitted by: Peggy Sells
Region: Tuolumne County, California, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 24, 2022
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