# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 10 - **Habitat:** Gardens and meadows ![Pale Swallowtail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Papilio_eurymedon_000.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Papilio_eurymedon_000.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Papilio ## 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 - **Nectar Seeker:** The Pale Swallowtail has a long proboscis (a straw-like tongue) that helps them reach sweet nectar deep inside flowers. - **Winged Acrobat:** Pale Swallowtails can fly quickly and erratically because of their large, powerful wings, that helps them escape from danger. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-billed-magpie) (*Pica pica*) — Birds can prey on adult butterflies. ## Traits - [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. - [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. - [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 so they feel safe and happy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pale 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Alder Creek Grove](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alder-creek-grove) — California, US · Forest - [Gaviota State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gaviota-state-park) — California, US · State Park - [Andree Clark Bird Refuge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/andree-clark-bird-refuge) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Aurora Colony](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aurora-colony) — Oregon, US · Neighborhood - [Headquarters Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/headquarters-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District - [Kelly's Camp Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kellys-camp-historic-district) — Montana, US · Historic District [View all places to see Pale Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pale-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: [Pale Swallowtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pale-swallowtail)