Papilio joanae

Papilio joanae


Ozark Swallowtail
Female
Male
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Tribe: Papilionini
Genus: Papilio
Species: P. joanae
Binomial name
Papilio joanae
J. Heitzman, 1973

The Ozark Swallowtail (Papilio joanae) is a North American butterfly species in the family Papilionidae.[1] It was once considered a synonym to the Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes).[2]

Contents

Description

The Ozark Swallowtail is almost identical to the Black Swallowtail. Despite this similarity, an analysis of the Ozark Swallowtail's mitochondrial DNA suggests that it is actually more closely related to the Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon). [3] On both surfaces of the hind wing, the pupil in the eye spot usually touches the edge of the inner margin. On the underside of the hind wing, the orange spots have very little or no yellow in them.[1]

Distribution

This butterfly is endemic to the Ozark Mountains. It is uncommon to rare in this region.[1]

Flight

The Ozark Swallowtail is seen from April to September.[3]

Habitat

P. joanae is found in cedar glade and woodland habitats.[4]

Life cycle

The caterpillar is indistinguishable from the Black Swallowtail caterpillar but is found in different habitats and prefers different host plants.[4] It has two brood per year.[3]

Host plants

  • Thaspium barbinode - Meadow Parsnip
  • Taenidia integerrima - Yellow Pimpernel
  • Zizia sp. - Golden Alexander

References

  1. ^ a b c Jim P. Brock and Kenn Kaufman (2003). Butterflies of North America. Houghton Mifflin, New York, NY. ISBN 0-618-15312-8
  2. ^ James A. Scott (1986). The Butterflies of North America. Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA. ISBN 0-8047-2013-4
  3. ^ a b c Jeffrey Glassberg (1999). Butterflies through Binoculars: The East. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. ISBN 0-19-510668-7
  4. ^ a b Thomas J. Allan, Jim P. Brock, and Jeffrey Glassberg (2005). Caterpillars in the Field and Garden. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. ISBN 0-19-518371-1


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