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Eastern Giant Swallowtail

Heraclides cresphontes

The Eastern Giant Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with large yellow and black wings. It flutters gracefully in gardens and fields, making it a delightful sight for everyone!

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Eastern Giant Swallowtail is a large black butterfly with bright yellow spots arranged in diagonal bands across its wings. Its hindwings have striking blue spots near the tails and distinct orange eye-spots. This pattern makes it visually distinct from smaller, less vibrantly marked swallowtails.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPapilionidaeGenusPapilio
Eastern Giant Swallowtail
colorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badgediurnal trait badge
Eastern Giant Swallowtail

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Adult butterflies can taste with their feet to find the best flowers for nectar!

Giant Swallowtails can migrate short distances, sometimes flying hundreds of miles!

Its caterpillars love to eat citrus leaves, making them garden pests!

Male swallowtails patrol high in trees looking for mates before swooping down!

Special abilities

Ability

Disguise Master

Eastern Giant Swallowtail caterpillars can mimic bird droppings because of their mottled brown, white, and black coloration that helps them avoid predators.

Ability

Stinky Defender

Eastern Giant Swallowtail caterpillars have an osmeterium, a retractable orange Y-shaped gland, that helps them spray a foul-smelling chemical to deter attackers.

Ability

Master Nectar Sipper

The Eastern Giant Swallowtail has a long proboscis, a straw-like tongue, that helps them reach deep nectar in flowers for energy.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
100-160 mm
Size
30-40 mm
Lifespan
10-20 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adults sip sweet nectar from flowers for energy!

Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) feed on host plant leaves, while adults exclusively drink flower nectar.

Primary Foods

  • Citrus leaves
  • Prickly Ash leaves
  • Hop Tree leaves
  • Lantana nectar
  • Milkweed nectar
  • Thistle nectar

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Giant Swallowtail

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

It's best to watch butterflies from a distance so they don't get scared.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Eastern Giant Swallowtail's wingspan?

100-160 mm

How big is Eastern Giant Swallowtail?

30-40 mm

How long does Eastern Giant Swallowtail live?

10-20 days

How fast can Eastern Giant Swallowtail fly?

20 km/h

What does Eastern Giant Swallowtail eat?

Caterpillars munch on leaves, while adults sip sweet nectar from flowers for energy!

Where is Eastern Giant Swallowtail usually found?

Urban areas

How does Eastern Giant Swallowtail hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Eastern Giant Swallowtail have?

6

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Where to spot

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