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 193 - 216 of 1135 verified sightings
Observation date: Feb 19, 2022
Submitted by: frankseverson
Region: Sacramento County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 23, 2022
Observation date: Jun 17, 2020
Submitted by: zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 21, 2022
Observation date: Jul 01, 2020
Submitted by: Sumac
Region: San Francisco County, California, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 21, 2022
Observation date: Dec 05, 2015
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 21, 2022
Observation date: Aug 27, 2020
Submitted by: caprimulgiformes
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 21, 2022
Observation date: May 24, 2021
Submitted by: Sumac
Region: San Francisco County, California, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 20, 2022
Observation date: Jan 30, 2022
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jan 30, 2022
Observation date: Jul 12, 2012
Submitted by: monsy2
Region: Deschutes County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jan 25, 2022
Observation date: Aug 06, 2017
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Madera County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 18, 2021
Observation date: Jun 15, 2018
Submitted by: Mark Salvato
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 19, 2021
Observation date: Oct 04, 2021
Submitted by: Linda Fink
Region: Tillamook County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 05, 2021
Observation date: Oct 04, 2021
Submitted by: Linda Fink
Region: Tillamook County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 05, 2021
Observation date: Jul 20, 2018
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 11, 2021
Observation date: May 19, 2021
Submitted by: jrmbutterfly
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 10, 2021
Observation date: Aug 27, 2021
Submitted by: twofried
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Sep 09, 2021
Observation date: Jul 06, 2021
Submitted by: mongoose
Region: Glacier County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Sep 07, 2021
Observation date: Sep 04, 2021
Submitted by: hiker96
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 06, 2021
Observation date: May 29, 2021
Submitted by: SuryaSmiles
Region: Lemhi County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Sep 04, 2021
Observation date: Jun 19, 2021
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 25, 2021
Observation date: Aug 22, 2021
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 24, 2021
Observation date: Aug 18, 2021
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 19, 2021
Observation date: Jul 20, 2021
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 17, 2021
Observation date: Aug 08, 2021
Submitted by: yasobara
Region: Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 15, 2021
Observation date: Aug 14, 2021
Submitted by: twofried
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Aug 15, 2021
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