# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 160 - **Habitat:** Gardens - **Also known as:** Common Black Swallowtail, Common Mormon, Eastern Black Swallowtail, Mormon Swallowtail ![Black Swallowtail](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426733/objects/114.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Papilio ## 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 - **Toxic Taste Alarm:** Black Swallowtail caterpillars can flash orange 'horns' (osmeteria) that release a stinky, foul-tasting chemical because it helps them scare away hungry predators. - **Clever Impersonation:** Adult female Black Swallowtails mimic the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail's appearance that helps them avoid being eaten by birds. - **Nectar Siphon:** A Black Swallowtail has a long, straw-like mouthpart (proboscis) that helps them sip sweet nectar deep inside flowers like a tiny straw. - **Chameleon Camouflage:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Adults visit for nectar, spreading pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds may prey on adult butterflies. - **Eats:** [Parsley](https://www.snappit.app/explore/parsley) (*Petroselinum crispum*) — A favorite food plant for caterpillars. ## Traits - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [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. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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 Black 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 Black Swallowtail's wingspan? 80-110 mm ### How big is Black Swallowtail? 30-40 mm ### How long does Black Swallowtail live? 10-14 days ### How fast can Black Swallowtail fly? 18 km/h ### What does Black Swallowtail eat? Caterpillars munch on leafy plants, while adult butterflies gracefully sip flower nectar. ### Where is Black Swallowtail usually found? Gardens ### How does Black Swallowtail hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Bok Tower Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bok-tower-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Brandon Road Lock and Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brandon-road-lock-and-dam) — Illinois, US · Historic Site - [Brett Woods Open Space](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brett-woods-open-space) — Connecticut, US · Park - [Broadway Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadway-avenue-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District [View all places to see Black Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-swallowtail) ## Watch - [Play video: Black Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/videos/black-swallowtail) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=DAdKykvCWrk) ## 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: [Black Swallowtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-swallowtail)