Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly
The Two-Tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata) is a beautiful large butterfly, yellow with black stripes. It has two tails on each hind wing; the outer one is longer.
It ranges throughout the western United States and Mexico, occupying semi-arid areas.
Size: 3 3/8" - 5 1/8"
Host plants: Cherry, Poplar, Ash, Willow, Hoptree, Chokeberry
Two-tailed Swallowtail 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 |
Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly (dorsal view) |
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Two-Tailed Swallowtails Butterflies in Utah |
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Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly |
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Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly (ventral view) |
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Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly |
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