Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Eastern Giant Swallowtail
Papilio cresphontes
29.4205, -98.4595
Field Notes
Description:
Large black and yellow butterfly. Its tail is edged in black and has a yellow center. It also has some orange an blue markings. It is one of the largest butterflies in North America with a wingspan reaching up to 4-6 1/4 inches.
Ref: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Papilio-cresphontes
Habitat:
Habitat: woodlands, deciduous forests, rocky/sandy hillsides, near streams, citrus groves, and urban areas.
Diet: Adults feed from a variety of sources including lantana, azalea, Japanese honeysuckle, and swamp milkweed.
Notes:
We saw this guy feeding from a lantana plant in our school garden. It stayed for quite awhile.
Fun Facts: 1. Females lay single eggs on host plants (citrus trees/herbs) . 2. The larva of this species is referred to as orange dog or orange puppy. 3. The larva can emit a foul odor as a defense mechanism.
Ref: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Papilio-cresphontes
Comments (1)