Black Swallowtail

Papilio polyxenes

The Black Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with striking black and yellow colors. They love to flutter around gardens and fields, bringing joy to everyone who sees them.

Habitat: Gardens

Appearance

The Black Swallowtail is a large, striking butterfly with black wings adorned by rows of bright yellow spots. Its hindwings feature a band of iridescent blue scales and distinctive orange eyespots, each with a black pupil, and short, tail-like projections.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPapilionidaeGenusPapilio

Black Swallowtail

Interesting facts

Did you know Black Swallowtail caterpillars love to munch on plants in the carrot family?

Its feet and antennae taste flowers to find the best nectar!

The 'tails' on its hindwings fool predators, protecting its body from attack!

When it's time to transform, its chrysalis can change color to match its surroundings!

Special abilities

Black Swallowtail caterpillars can flash orange 'horns' (osmeteria) that release a stinky, foul-tasting chemical because it helps them scare away hungry predators.

Adult female Black Swallowtails mimic the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail's appearance that helps them avoid being eaten by birds.

A Black Swallowtail has a long, straw-like mouthpart (proboscis) that helps them sip sweet nectar deep inside flowers like a tiny straw.

Young Black Swallowtail caterpillars look like bird droppings that helps them blend into plants and hide from predators.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 80-110 mm
Size: 30-40 mm
Lifespan: 10-14 days
Flight Speed: 18 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch on leafy plants, while adult butterflies gracefully sip flower nectar.

Age differences: Young caterpillars eat plant leaves, but adults only drink sweet flower nectar.

Primary Foods

Nectar
Parsley leaves
Dill leaves
Fennel leaves
Carrot tops
Queen Anne's Lace

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Wild Carrot

Daucus carota

Caterpillars feed on its leaves.

pollinates

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Adults visit for nectar, spreading pollen.

eaten by

Blue Jay

Cyanocitta cristata

Birds may prey on adult butterflies.

eats

Parsley

Petroselinum crispum

A favorite food plant for caterpillars.

Traits

Aerial

Discover amazing creatures that spend much of their lives soaring high above the ground, often using wings to fly! They might hunt, travel, or even sleep up in the sky.

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Pollinator Magnet

Discover plants that are irresistible to our pollinator friends! These beauties are super attractive to bees, butterflies, and other helpful creatures, creating a buzzing hub of activity.

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.

Urban Friendly

Spot amazing living things that thrive right alongside us in cities and towns, finding homes in parks, gardens, and even cracks in pavements.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.