# Anise Swallowtail (*Papilio zelicaon*) The Anise Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with bright yellow and black wings. It loves to flutter around gardens and fields, bringing joy wherever it goes! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 21 - **Habitat:** Gardens and fields - **Also known as:** Anise Butterfly ![Anise Swallowtail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Anise_Swallowtail_%28Papilio_zelicaon%29_%286974266104%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Franco Folini, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anise_Swallowtail_%28Papilio_zelicaon%29_%286974266104%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Anise Swallowtail has bright yellow wings boldly patterned with thick black stripes and markings. Its hindwings feature a distinctive row of blue spots, a prominent orange eye-spot, and two small, black "tails" that help distinguish it from similar species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Papilio ## Interesting facts - Anise Swallowtail caterpillars change from mottled brown to bright green as they grow up! - The little "tails" on their wings might trick birds into attacking the wrong spot! - These butterflies can sometimes travel hundreds of miles, following the sun to warmer places! - They often fly high in mountain areas, sometimes soaring above the very tops of trees. ## Special abilities - **Stinky Shield:** Anise Swallowtail caterpillars can pop out a bright orange, Y-shaped organ to release a smelly liquid and scare predators away. - **Taste Feet:** This butterfly can taste plants with its feet, helping it decide if a leaf is yummy enough for its babies to eat! - **Master Disguise:** Young caterpillars cleverly camouflage themselves, looking exactly like bird droppings to hide from hungry birds. - **Nectar Snorkeler:** It uses a long, straw-like tongue, called a proboscis, to sip sweet nectar from deep inside flowers. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 50-80 mm - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 15 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adult Anise Swallowtails sip flower nectar; their caterpillars munch on tasty plants. - **Age differences:** Larvae (caterpillars) feed on host plant leaves, while adults drink nectar from various flowers. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, fennel leaves, dill leaves, anise leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Fennel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fennel) (*Foeniculum vulgare*) — Its leaves are a favorite food for hungry caterpillars. - **Eaten by:** [Dill](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dill) (*Anethum graveolens*) — Caterpillars rely on this plant as a vital food source. - **Pollinates:** [Canada Goldenrod](https://www.snappit.app/explore/canada-goldenrod) (*Solidago canadensis*) — Adults drink nectar, helping to spread its pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Steller's Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stellers-jay) (*Cyanocitta stelleri*) — This bird preys on adult butterflies and caterpillars. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch butterflies from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Anise Swallowtail? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Anise Swallowtail's wingspan? 50-80 mm ### How big is Anise Swallowtail? 20-30 mm ### How long does Anise Swallowtail live? 10-14 days ### How fast can Anise Swallowtail fly? 15 km/h ### What does Anise Swallowtail eat? Adult Anise Swallowtails sip flower nectar; their caterpillars munch on tasty plants. ### Where is Anise Swallowtail usually found? Gardens and fields ### How does Anise Swallowtail hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Atchison Village](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/atchison-village) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Blake Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blake-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Independence](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/independence) — Colorado, US · Neighborhood - [Mormon Row Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mormon-row-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Murie Ranch Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/murie-ranch-historic-district) — Wyoming, US · Historic District - [Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/palo-alto-baylands-nature-preserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Anise Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/anise-swallowtail) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Anise Swallowtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/anise-swallowtail)