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Desert Swallowtail

Papilio Coloro

Photo by ivannawhitz
Published on Project Noah
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37.0877, -113.558

Field Notes

Description:

This butterfly comes from an extremely hardy family and as a species flourishes in the arid deserts of North America where the habitat is rough. I found this specimen while out collecting insects last weekend. This butterfly in particular I did not keep because of it's age and how worn it's wings are but he did decide to pose for me just long enough to snap this shot.

Habitat:

Eastern Mojave Desert, dry, arid, Joshua tree forests

Notes:

Found April 6th, 2013 in the Beaver Dam Mountains in southern Utah. Caterpillars feed on Thamnosma Montana, a plant in the citrus family.

Species ID Suggestions

Old World Swallowtail

Papilio machaon

Reference Link
bayucca
1

Comments (3)
bayucca
Thanks, ivannawhitz. Interesting one. Sometimes (or updated?) Coloro is considered as a subspecies of Papilio polyxenes, so it might be helpful if you add this in the description section. http://butterfliesofamerica.com/papilio_polyxenes_coloro_live1.htm And, please, do not forget to add the scientific name if you already know it.
ivannawhitz
You do make a solid point, however i can confirm that this is Coloro because 1) i have hunted and raised this species before and 2) The habitat that these were found in is an uncanny match to the species. Also, it helps when you have a professional entomologist as a father haha. This would be the best reference to double check my find. http://www.utahlepsociety.org/pcoloro.html
bayucca
Papilionidae, Papilio machaon. Yours is probably too old and worn to get down to the subspecies. Closest guess might be Papilio machaon bairdi, but there is also a Brucei and Oregonia found in Utah. But the species is enough, since it is also very variable, just look at this link... http://butterfliesofamerica.com/papilio_machaon_bairdii_live1.htm

Spotted for Missions

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Wildlife of Utah

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Photographed
PublishedApril 12, 2013

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