Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Pipevine swallowtail
Battus philenor
35.1675, -93.6377
Field Notes
Description:
Pipevine swallowtail adults have a wingspan from 7 to 13 cm. The dorsal wings of an adult male are black with vibrant blue iridescence on the hind wings. Female iridescence is duller in appearance. Bright orange spots are visible on the back end of the ventral wings.
Habitat:
Spotted nectaring on Plume thistle at Mount Magazine State Park. The pipevine swallowtail has a wide distribution across the Northern Americas. In the United States, the butterfly is found in New England down to Florida west to Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Oregon.
Notes:
Pipevine swallowtail adults use nectar producing plants as hosts, and thus there are many plants that fit this criterion. These butterflies frequent thistle (Cirsium) flowers, the pink and purple flowers of the Phlox species, and ironweed of Vernonia species.
Comments (2)