# Pipevine Swallowtail (*Battus philenor*) The Pipevine Swallowtail is a stunning butterfly with iridescent blue wings. It loves to dance around flowers in the garden! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 114 - **Habitat:** Gardens and forests - **Also known as:** California Pipevine Swallowtail, Green Swallowtail ![Pipevine Swallowtail](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426642/objects/5483.jpg) ## Appearance The Pipevine Swallowtail has velvety black wings, often with an iridescent blue-green sheen on the hindwings, especially vibrant in males. Its underwings display a striking row of bright orange spots against a metallic blue band, making it easily distinguishable from other dark butterflies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Battus ## Interesting facts - It drinks nectar using a long, straw-like 'tongue' called a proboscis, perfect for sipping from deep flowers! - Its spiky, dark red caterpillar looks like a tiny dragon, warning predators of its toxic meal! - The dazzling blue-green shimmer on its wings isn't paint, but tiny scales that reflect light like a prism! - This butterfly actually has a chemical in its body that tastes terrible to birds, making them spit it out! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Shield:** Pipevine Swallowtail can absorb toxins from pipevine plants because it helps them become poisonous, deterring hungry predators. - **Mimicry Master:** Pipevine Swallowtail has a distinctive look that many other harmless butterflies copy, helping those mimics avoid being eaten by predators. - **Foot Flavors:** Pipevine Swallowtail can taste with special receptors on its feet, helping it find the perfect nectar flowers or host plants for its eggs. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 70-130 mm - **Size:** 20-40 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch on toxic pipevine leaves, while adults sip nectar from various flowers. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars consume pipevine leaves, while adult butterflies drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** Aristolochia spp. (Pipevine leaves), Nectar from Phlox, Nectar from Thistle, Nectar from Milkweed - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** Virginia Snakeroot (*Aristolochia serpentaria*) — Host plant for caterpillars, providing toxins. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Birds learn to avoid after trying to eat. - **Pollinates:** Garden Phlox (*Phlox paniculata*) — Adults visit flowers for nectar, aiding pollination. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [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. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pipevine 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 Pipevine Swallowtail's wingspan? 70-130 mm ### How big is Pipevine Swallowtail? 20-40 mm ### How long does Pipevine Swallowtail live? 10-14 days ### How fast can Pipevine Swallowtail fly? 20 km/h ### What does Pipevine Swallowtail eat? Caterpillars munch on toxic pipevine leaves, while adults sip nectar from various flowers. ### Where is Pipevine Swallowtail usually found? Gardens and forests ### How does Pipevine Swallowtail hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Blake Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blake-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Boyce Thompson Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/boyce-thompson-arboretum) — Arizona, US · Botanical Garden - [Calico Rock Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/calico-rock-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Coloma](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/coloma) — California, US · Neighborhood - [Harry P. Leu Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harry-p-leu-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Haskell-Baker Wetlands](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/haskell-baker-wetlands) — Kansas, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Pipevine Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pipevine-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: [Pipevine Swallowtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pipevine-swallowtail)