As someone who has a few different species of Swallowtail Butterflies who frequent my garden every summer, I was curious to learn more about the different kinds that occurred in my area. The more I discovered about these beautiful insects, the more I became fascinated by their grace, charm, and ecosystem services.

Are you like meand eager to spot and identify the striking Swallowtail butterflies in your own backyard?

I wrote this article to provide you with practical ID tips to distinguish between the various species of Swallowtail butterflies.

Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or a budding lepidopterist, these tips will enhance your ability to recognize these fluttering marvels and appreciate their unique patterns and behaviors.

Want to attract Swallowtail Butterflies into your garden? Have a look at my state-by-state plant list for what you should grow for food and nectar sources for every stage of growth.

Swallowtail Butterflies: The Basics

Species Overview

Family: Papillonidae

Genus: Papilio

In Latin, papilio means butterfly.

There are over 500 species within the swallowtail  (Papillonidae) family all over the world, with 30 species found in North America (Cornell).

Swallowtail Butterflies have distinct forked tails, similar to the swallowtail bird. They is quite a variety of color from species to species. The scope ranges from black to orange, and yellow to white.

Swallowtail Butterflies prefer habitats that provide them with the necessary resources for survival.

for the purposes of this article, I’ll be focusing on the Papilio genus, even though there are butterflies in the same family and with the name “Swallowtail” in other genera.

Common Swallowtail Species in the United States

I’ve made a map here that showcases the Swallowtail Butterflies that can be found in each state.

‍Simply hover your mouse over your state or tap on your state on mobile to read the list of Swallowtail Butterflies in your area

Spreadsheet version, with my citations for each state's Swallowtail species:

Popular Swallowtail Butterfly Species Include:

sources: MT.gov, xerces, butterflies of oregon, MDC, UF IFL, Donna L Long, butterflies of massachusetts, a wild garden 1, a wild garden 2, Georgia Native Plants, Butterflies at Home, Montana Field Guide, Wisconsin Butterflies 1, Wisconsin Butterflies 2, Northern Woodlands, What's that Bug.

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Lifecycle of Swallowtails

→ Wild Fact: When butterflies undergo metamorphosis in the chrysalis stage, the caterpillar's body digests itself - literally - with digestive juices. The cells then reorganize to create the entirely new body of the adult butterfly. -UFL

Egg and Larval Stage

Swallowtail Butterflies are an example of extraordinary transformation. They start off as an egg, and will hatch in around 10 days. As larvae, they need to eat straight away from larval host plants (Cornell).

Metamorphosis: Caterpillar to Butterfly

This caterpillar stage lasts for up to 4 weeks. Once they have the nutrition they need and the timing is right, they will form into a chrysalis (pupa), and finally to the adult butterfly (UKY, UFL).

Swallowtail Lifespan + Generation Time

When you see Swallowtail butterflies fluttering about, cherish them - they only live in this form for up to 2 weeks.

Each year, multiple generations of most Swallowtail butterflies species appear. Spring Swallowtails eat from different nectar sources than Summer Swallowtails (Cornell).

Each stage requires specific host plants for nutrition and development. A selection of flora in your garden is crucial.

Endangered and At-Risk Swallowtail Species

1. Oregon Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio oregonius) – This species is considered at-risk in certain regions due to habitat alteration and loss.
2. Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus) – Their dependency on specific host plants like the spicebush, which are at risk due to habitat loss, puts them in a vulnerable position in some areas.
3. Schaus’ Swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus) – Listed as endangered, this butterfly is limited to the Florida Keys + Puerto Rico. It has been impacted by habitat destruction and collection.
4. Jamaican Giant Swallowtail (Papilio homerus) – This endangered species is found only in two locations in Jamaica and is facing threats from habitat destruction and illegal collecting.
5. Oaxacan Swallowtail (Papilio esperanza) - Only found in the cloud forest of Oaxaca in Mexico, with dwindling populations due to poachers.

sources: xerces

Now You're Swallowtail Savvy!

I hope that the knowledge from this guide will help you to identify Swallowtail butterflies with confidence.

The next time you venture into your garden or local park, keep an eye out for these spectacular creatures and use your newfound skills to recognize the distinct species that grace your environment. Each observation adds to your personal understanding and appreciation of these essential pollinators. Happy butterfly watching!

Want to attract Swallowtail Butterflies into your garden? Have a look at my state-by-state plant list for what you should grow for food and nectar sources for every stage of growth.

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