Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Black Swallowtail is of our most common and familiar butterflies, easily confused with several other dark swallowtail species, especially dark female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. The undersides of males and females are similar.

Mating pair, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, Orange Co., NC on 4/10/2005.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

On the dorsal (top) side, the male (bottom) is more boldly patterned with yellow, while the female has more blue (hidden in this photo). Same pair as above.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Male, Alleghany Co., NC 7/2/06.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Male, New Hanover Co., NC 8/12/07.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) caterpillar

The caterpillars are more often seen than adults. They seemingly appear spontaneously on plants in the carrot family (Umbelliferae or Apiaceae) such as fennel (here) and parsley.

Durham Co., NC 7/20/13.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) caterpillar

Close-up of a first-instar Black Swallowtail.

Durham Co., NC 7/20/13.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) caterpillar

New Hanover Co., NC 8/12/07.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) caterpillar

New Hanover Co., NC 8/12/07.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) caterpillar

Caterpillar on Zizia.
Carroll Co., VA 6/14/03.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Chrysalises are normally green. Durham Co., NC 7/8/03.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

This chrysalis matches the color of the redcedar branch. Durham Co., NC 7/8/03.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Note that the big red spot on the hindwing has a small black spot in it. This helps tell Black Swallowtail apart from similar species, such as Spicebush Swallowtail and dark form Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

Female, Granville Co., NC 4/25/04.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Same individual. This freshly-emerged butterfly was still pumping up its wings and could barely fly.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

A relatively little-marked female.

Hidalgo Co., TX 10/18/04.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Females often flutter their wings continually while depositing eggs on host plants.

Orange Co., NC 4/10/05.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

They tend not to stay long enough to let you snap pictures! This female had just left the plant, which looks like it could be Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), also known as Queen Anne's Lace.

Orange Co., NC 4/10/05.

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

Male, Granville Co., NC 4/28/03.

Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) with Black Swallowtail

Female caught by a Green Lynx spider.

Craven Co., NC 8/26/2012.

All photographs and text ©2013 by Will Cook unless otherwise noted.