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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
sources: xerces
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!