# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 13 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Two-tailed Swallowtail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/SWALLOWTAIL%252C_TWO-TAILED_%28Papilio_multicaudata%29_%283-21-12%29_78_circulo_montana%252C_patagonia_lake_ranch_estates%252C_scc%252C_az_%281%29_%289423416184%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: ALAN SCHMIERER, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SWALLOWTAIL%252C_TWO-TAILED_%28Papilio_multicaudata%29_%283-21-12%29_78_circulo_montana%252C_patagonia_lake_ranch_estates%252C_scc%252C_az_%281%29_%289423416184%29.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Papilio ## 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 - **Predator Misdirection:** Two-tailed Swallowtail has hindwing 'tails' that help them trick predators into attacking a less vital part of their body, allowing escape. - **Chemical Defense (Larvae):** Two-tailed Swallowtail larvae can pop out an orange, Y-shaped osmeterium that emits a foul smell to scare away predators. - **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 - **Depends on:** [Chokecherry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/chokecherry) (*Prunus virginiana*) — Larvae feed on its leaves for growth. - **Pollinates:** [Lilac](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lilac) (*Syringa vulgaris*) — Adults drink nectar, helping to spread pollen. - **Eaten by:** [Steller's Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stellers-jay) (*Cyanocitta stelleri*) — Birds prey on both caterpillars and adult butterflies. ## Traits - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [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. - [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. - [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 to keep them safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Two-tailed 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 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 ## Where to spot - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [City Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-park) — Colorado, US · Park - [Dinosaur Ridge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dinosaur-ridge) — Colorado, US · Natural Landmark - [William Allen White Cabins](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/william-allen-white-cabins) — Colorado, US · Historic District - [Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/centennial-museum-and-chihuahuan-desert-gardens) — US · Botanical Garden - [Denver Botanic Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/denver-botanic-gardens) — Colorado, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Two-tailed Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/two-tailed-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: [Two-tailed Swallowtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/two-tailed-swallowtail)