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Two-tailed Swallowtail
ExploreInsects
Two-tailed Swallowtail
Papilio multicaudata
The Two-tailed Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with bright yellow wings and black markings. It has two long tails that look like little streamers, making it very special and fun to see fluttering around flowers.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Two-tailed Swallowtail is a large, bright yellow butterfly marked with bold black stripes and dark wing margins. Its hindwings famously feature two prominent tail-like extensions and striking blue and orange spots near these tails, making it visually distinct.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPapilionidaeGenusPapilio
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It's the state insect of Colorado, but lives in many other places too!
Its name comes from having two 'tails' on each hindwing, making it easy to identify!
This butterfly loves the sun and often 'basks' with its wings open to warm up!
Young caterpillars look like bird droppings to hide from hungry birds!
Special abilities
Ability
Predator Misdirection
Two-tailed Swallowtail has hindwing 'tails' that help them trick predators into attacking a less vital part of their body, allowing escape.
Ability
Chemical Defense (Larvae)
Two-tailed Swallowtail larvae can pop out an orange, Y-shaped osmeterium that emits a foul smell to scare away predators.
Ability
Camouflage Mimicry (Larvae)
Two-tailed Swallowtail caterpillars can mimic bird droppings when young, which helps them hide from hungry predators.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 70-100 mm
- Size
- 25-35 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-14 days
- Flight Speed
- 18 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip nectar from flowers; caterpillars munch on tree leaves.
Age differences: Larvae eat leaves, while adults only drink flower nectar.
Primary Foods
- Nectar
- Chokecherry leaves
- Aspen leaves
- Willow leaves
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
Traits
Aerial
Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch butterflies from a distance to keep them safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Two-tailed Swallowtail's wingspan?
70-100 mm
How big is Two-tailed Swallowtail?
25-35 mm
How long does Two-tailed Swallowtail live?
10-14 days
How fast can Two-tailed Swallowtail fly?
18 km/h
What does Two-tailed Swallowtail eat?
Adults sip nectar from flowers; caterpillars munch on tree leaves.
Where is Two-tailed Swallowtail usually found?
Forests
How does Two-tailed Swallowtail hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Two-tailed Swallowtail have?
6
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