Dallas County Lepidopterists' Society
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Eastern
Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterius)
f.
"pseudoamericus"
MALE (DORSAL)
FEMALE (DORSAL)
FEMALE (VENTRAL)
Caterpillar Hostplants | Dill (Anethum graveolens), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), parsley (Petroselinum crispum), celery (Apium), carrot (Daucus), Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota), Prairie-parsley (Polytaenia nuttallii), Water-Parsnip (Berula erecta), Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata), Wild Chervil (Cryptotaenia canadensis), Leaf-Less Cowbane (Oxypolis filiformis), Mock Bishop's Weed (Ptilimnium capillaceum), Water- Parsnip (Sium suave), Forked Scaleseed (Spermolepis divaricata) and other members of the family Apiaceae. Rue (Ruta graveolens) and Dutchman's-Breeches (Thamnosma texanum) in the family Rutaceae are utilized. |
Area
Sighting Locations | Commonly found in open meadows where its larval host plants are plentiful, this species is also a frequent visitor to the backyard garden. |
Seasonal Flight Data | Early March - October |
General Notes | A sexually dimorphic species, both male and females have black wings with a row of yellow spots along the margins, far more pronounced in the male. The hindwing has a submarginal band of blue which is much more extensive in the female. Similar species: Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor), which it is believed to mimic, dark form female Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). |
Additional Photographs
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