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Pale Swallowtail

Papilio eurymedon

The Pale Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with yellow and black wings. It loves to flutter around flowers and can be seen in gardens and meadows during warm days.

Habitat: Gardens and meadows

Appearance

The Pale Swallowtail has creamy white to pale yellow wings strikingly marked with bold black stripes. Its hindwings feature distinctive, short black 'tails' and often a small, blue and orange eyespot, differentiating it from similar, yellower swallowtails.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPapilionidaeGenusPapilio
Pale Swallowtail
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Pale Swallowtail

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Male Pale Swallowtails often fly to the very top of hills to find a mate!

The 'swallowtail' name comes from the little tail-like shapes on their hindwings!

They are one of the most common swallowtail butterflies found in western North America!

When threatened, their caterpillar shoots out a stinky, orange 'fork' from its head!

Special abilities

Ability

Nectar Seeker

The Pale Swallowtail has a long proboscis (a straw-like tongue) that helps them reach sweet nectar deep inside flowers.

Ability

Winged Acrobat

Pale Swallowtails can fly quickly and erratically because of their large, powerful wings, that helps them escape from danger.

Ability

Foot Taster

Pale Swallowtails can taste plants with their feet because they have chemoreceptors there, which helps them find the perfect spot to lay eggs.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
70-100 mm
Size
30-40 mm
Lifespan
10-20 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adult butterflies drink flower nectar, while caterpillars munch on leaves from special plants.

Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) eat leaves, while adults exclusively feed on liquid nectar from flowers.

Primary Foods

  • Flower Nectar
  • California Coffeeberry leaves
  • Ceanothus leaves
  • Alder leaves
  • Willow leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

California Coffeeberry

Frangula californica

Caterpillars feed on its leaves.

depends on

Deer Brush

Ceanothus integerrimus

A primary host plant for its caterpillars.

pollinates

Common Yarrow

Achillea millefolium

Adults visit its flowers for nectar.

eaten by

Black-billed Magpie

Pica pica

Birds can prey on adult butterflies.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch butterflies from a distance so they feel safe and happy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pale Swallowtail's wingspan?

70-100 mm

How big is Pale Swallowtail?

30-40 mm

How long does Pale Swallowtail live?

10-20 days

How fast can Pale Swallowtail fly?

20 km/h

What does Pale Swallowtail eat?

Adult butterflies drink flower nectar, while caterpillars munch on leaves from special plants.

Where is Pale Swallowtail usually found?

Gardens and meadows

How does Pale Swallowtail hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Pale Swallowtail have?

6

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