# Zebra Swallowtail (*Eurytides marcellus*) The Zebra Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with black and white stripes. It flutters gracefully around gardens and forests, making it a delightful sight for everyone! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 64 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Eastern Zebra Swallowtail, Western Zebra Swallowtail ![Zebra Swallowtail](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424488/objects/1112.jpg) ## Appearance The Zebra Swallowtail has striking creamy-white to pale greenish wings adorned with bold black stripes, resembling a zebra. Its hindwings feature distinctive long, slender tails and small patches of blue and red, making it easily recognizable among butterflies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Protographium ## Interesting facts - Baby zebra swallowtails (caterpillars) can be green or striped, completely changing their look! - Its stripes aren't just for show; they help it blend into dappled sunlight! - Summer Zebra Swallowtails often have shorter tails than those born in the spring! - They are fantastic 'pollen taxis,' helping many wildflowers grow by carrying pollen! ## Special abilities - **Chemical Defense Shield:** Zebra Swallowtail caterpillars have a super defense shield because eating pawpaw leaves makes them taste bad to predators. - **Specialized Eater:** Zebra Swallowtail caterpillars are picky, munching only on pawpaw leaves, giving them a unique, specialized food source. - **Darting Flight:** Zebra Swallowtail can zip through the air with quick, darting movements that help them swiftly escape from predators. - **Misleading Tails:** Zebra Swallowtail has long, elegant tails that might trick predators into attacking the wrong part, helping them escape. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 60-100 mm - **Size:** 45-65 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-14 days - **Flight Speed:** 15-30 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip sweet flower nectar, while their caterpillars are picky eaters, only munching on pawpaw leaves! - **Age differences:** Yes, caterpillars eat pawpaw leaves, but adult butterflies only drink nectar. - **Primary Foods:** pawpaw leaves, nectar, red clover, milkweed, lilac - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Pawpaw (*Asimina triloba*) — Its caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of this tree. - **Pollinates:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Adult butterflies visit its flowers for nectar, helping pollination. - **Pollinates:** [Red Clover](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-clover) (*Trifolium pratense*) — Nectar from this flower provides essential energy for adults. - **Eaten by:** [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) — Butterflies and caterpillars are a food source for this bird. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [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. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [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 Butterflies are safe to watch, but remember not to touch them as they are delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Zebra 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 Zebra Swallowtail's wingspan? 60-100 mm ### How big is Zebra Swallowtail? 45-65 mm ### How long does Zebra Swallowtail live? 10-14 days ### How fast can Zebra Swallowtail fly? 15-30 km/h ### What does Zebra Swallowtail eat? Adults sip sweet flower nectar, while their caterpillars are picky eaters, only munching on pawpaw leaves! ### Where is Zebra Swallowtail usually found? Forests ### How does Zebra Swallowtail hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albemarle-and-chesapeake-canal) — Virginia, US · Historic Site - [Battle Creek Cypress Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/battle-creek-cypress-swamp-sanctuary) — Maryland, US · Nature Reserve - [Brookfield Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brookfield-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Chantilly Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chantilly-park) — Virginia, US · Park - [Charlestown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlestown-historic-district) — Maryland, US · Historic District - [Elk Neck State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/elk-neck-state-forest) — Maryland, US · Forest [View all places to see Zebra Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/zebra-swallowtail) ## Watch - [Play video: Zebra Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/videos/zebra-swallowtail) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=Tlnqxs4x8rM) ## 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: [Zebra Swallowtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/zebra-swallowtail)