List of Butterflies of North America (Papilionidae)

Back to the main page.

Swallowtails are our largest butterflies. They range in size from 2.5-6.4 inches (6.5-16.5 cm). There are about 600 species worldwide with about 31 species in North America. All Swallowtails have tails on their hind wings (except the Parnassians). Their flight is slow and gliding but, when disturbed, their flight can be quite strong and rapid. They like to feed on various flowers, dung, and urine, and males like to puddle on damp ground. Most male Swallowtails locate females by patrolling, and some males perch. The eggs are round and usually laid singly on different kinds of host plants. The larvae have a reddish-orange forked gland, called an osmeterium, stored just behind the head. When frightened, the larva thrusts the gland out releasing a foul-odor that will sometimes deter a predator. Many young Swallowtail larvae resemble bird droppings. The chrysalis of most species is brown or green and looks like a leaf or branch. It is held upright by a silken loop around the middle called a girdle. The Swallowtails overwinter as a chrysalis.

ubfamily Papilioninae: Swallowtails

* Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, "Papilio glaucus"

* Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, "Papilio canadensis"

* Western Tiger Swallowtail, "Papilio rutulus"

* Two-tailed Swallowtail, "Papilio multicaudata"

* Zebra Swallowtail, "Eurytides marcellus"

* Dark Kite-Swallowtail, "Eurytides philolaus"

* Pale Swallowtail, "Papilio eurymedon"

* Pipevine Swallowtail, "Battus philenor"

* Spicebush Swallowtail, "Papilio troilus"

* Black Swallowtail, "Papilio polyxenes"

* "Desert" Black Swallowtail, "Papilio polyxenes coloro"

* Ozark Swallowtail, "Papilio joanae"

* Anise Swallowtail, "Papilio zelicaon"

* Short-tailed Swallowtail, "Papilio brevicauda"

* Old World Swallowtail, "Papilio machaon"

* Indra Swallowtail, "Papilio indra"

* Palamedes Swallowtail, "Papilio palamedes"

* Polydamas Swallowtail, "Battus polydamas"

* Giant Swallowtail, "Papilio cresphontes"

* Thoas Swallowtail, "Papilio thoas"

* Ornythion Swallowtail, "Papilio ornythion"

* Schaus's Swallowtail, "Papilio aristodemus"

* Bahamian Swallowtail, "Papilio andraemon"

* Androgeus Swallowtail, "Papilio androgeus"

* Ruby-spotted Swallowtail, "Papilio anchisiades"

* White-dotted Cattleheart, "Parides alopius"

* Broad-banded Swallowtail, "Papilio astyalus"

* Three-tailed Swallowtail, "Papilio pilummus"

ubfamily Parnassiinae: Parnassians

* Clodius Parnassian, "Parnassius clodius"

* Phobus Parnassian, "Parnassius phobus"

* Eversmann's Parnassian, "Parnassius eversmanni"

References

*Jim P. Brock, Kenn Kaufman (2003). "Butterflies of North America." Boston: Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0-618-15312-8.