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Swallowtail Butterflies
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This magnificent family (Papilionidae) of large butterflies is loved by many, and includes more than 600 species worldwide.
Fewer than 30 species live in North America.
Swallowtail Butterfly Features and Characteristics
Most (not all) of these large, brightly colored butterflies feature tails on their hind wings. These tail-like appendages resemble the tails of swallow family of birds, hence their name.
Swallowtails feed on flowers, and can often be found in mud or damp sand where they sip dissolved minerals and salts. They beat their wings rapidly when feeding on nectar, as a balancing technique.
Swallowtail Eggs, Caterpillars and Pupae
The eggs are spherical in shape and pale green in color, and darken over time.
The young caterpillars of Tiger, Black, Spicebush, Anise and Giant swallowtails all appear to be bird droppings.
Caterpillars evolve into incredible colors and some adopt false eyespots (see photo to the right) as a defense mechanism.
 Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar |
The caterpillars have an osmeterium, a forked shaped gland that can be extended from behind the head as another defense mechanism. This glad emits a foul smell to repel potential predators. Pupae are generally brown or green.
Swallowtail Butterfly Family Groups
In North America, swallowtails fall into four general groups:
- Black swallowtails (Papilio)
- Giant swallowtails (Heraclides)
- Tiger swallowtails (Pterourus)
- Pipevine swallowtails (Battus)
Swallowtail Butterfly Life Cycle: Stages and Times
| Stage | Typical Duration |
| Egg stage | Generally 4 to 10 days, depending on temperature and host plant |
| Caterpillar (larval) stage | 3 to 4 weeks |
| Chrysalis (pupal) stage | 10 to 20 days (except for overwintering pupae) |
| Adult butterfly stage | 6 to 14 days |
Swallowtail Butterfly Identification Chart
The identification chart below compares the colors and features of common Swallowtail butterflies.
Photographs of Common Swallowtail Butterflies
Click on any image to enlarge and learn more about a particular Swallowtail species.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly (female) Size: 3.5"-5.5" |
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Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly (male) |
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Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly (female) with dark dimorphic coloration |
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Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly Size: 3.5"-4.5" (one line of spots on trailing edge of wings vs two lines on Black Swallowtail) |
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Spicebush Swallowtail Butterflies Male (left) with green coloration chasing a female with blue coloration |
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Black Swallowtail Butterfly (male) Size: 2.5"-4.0" |
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Black Swallowtail Butterfly (female) Size: 2.5"-4.0" |
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Giant Swallowtail Butterfly Size: 4.0"-6.0" |
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Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly Size: 2.75" - 4.0" |
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Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly Size: 2.5" - 4.0" |
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Palamedes Swallowtail Butterfly Size: to 3.5" to 5.5" |
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Anise Swallowtail Butterfly |
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Old World Swallowtail Butterfly Size: 2 1/2" - 3" |
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Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly |
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Pale Swallowtail Butterfly Size: 2 1/2" - 3 1/2" |
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Indra Swallowtail Butterfly Size: 2.5" - 3.0" |
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Polydamas Swallowtail Butterfly Size: 3 1/2" - 4 1/2" |
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Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly |
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Check out these popular butterfly items at our Amazon Store |
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| Kaufman Field Guide to Butterflies of North America  |
The Life Cycles of Butterflies |
Peterson First Guide to Butterflies and Moths of North America  |
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Outdoor Butterfly Hanging Flag |
Butterfly Habitat Cage |
Butterfly Sterling Silver Pendant |
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Read More About Swallowtail Species