Species Papilio cresphontes - Eastern Giant Swallowtail - Hodges#4170

4170

Orange Dog (larva in southern orange groves), Eastern Giant Swallowtail (1)

Heraclides cresphontes--a split from genus Papilio

Papilio cresphontes Cramer, 1777

83-140 mm wingspan

Adult: "Black with a yellow X on the front wing and basal and subapical bands on the hind wing. Usually easily distinguished from P. thoas by the lower three spots in the outer row on the front wing being much larger than the rest and running (at the top) into a distinct offset in the second row. [In P. thoas the lower four or five spots in the outer row are fairly even in size, tapering gradually down in size upward; not running into an offset in the second row at the third spot.]

Larva: brown or blackish with pale cream or whitish saddle in middle, and large cream patch on tail, imitating bird poop in coloration; when disturbed, extends orange-red osmeteria from behind head and emits sour unpleasant odor

e. N. Amer. to c. TX - Map (1)

open woodlands and nearby fields, rocky and sandy hillsides near streams or gullies in the north; pine flats, towns, and citrus groves in the south

adults fly all year in the far south; two flights in the north from May to September

Larvae feed on leaves of plants in the Citrus family (Rutaceae), including Citrus (Citrus spp.), Pricklyash (Zanthoxylum spp.), Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata), Rue (Ruta graveolens), etc. Adults take flower nectar from a variety of herbaceous plants and shrubs

eggs are laid singly on host leaves and twigs; at least two generations per year; overwinters in pupa stage inside a chrysalis

1. Egg. 2. Egg and first instar caterpillar. 3. Caterpillar. 4. Caterpillar in defensive posture. 5. Caterpillar ready to pupate. 6. Pupa. 7. Adult.

Often cited as the largest butterfly in the United States and Canada."(2) However, the Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata) averages larger.

Western Giant Swallowtail - Papilio rumiko - Range: CA to c. TX (1)

Thoas Swallowtail, Papilio thoas, has western distribution and smaller spots in lower outside leg of "X" on upperside of forewing

Schaus' Swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus, - rare, S. Florida only) has narrower pale band.

Arnett & Jacques (2)

Moth Photographers Group - MPG

pinned adult image plus description, biology, larval and adult food, US distribution map (Butterflies and Skippers of North America, nearctica.com)

live images of all life stages plus description, larval foodplants, distribution, flight season, habitat (Butterflies of Canada, CBIF)