Black Swallowtail

Wingspan: 4 inches

Overview: Black Swallowtail’s (Papilio polyxenes) are in the Papilionidae family. They are strong fliers with a tail-like apendage on the rear of the wings.General Habitat: Open areas, fields, and marshes.

Caterpillar & Host Plants

Larvae feed on many plants in the Apiacea family (dill, carrots, celery, fennel, Queen Anne’s Lace). Caterpillars can extend a forked red gland (osmeterium) from their heads. This emits a foul odor (terpens) to repel predators. Smell is similar to turpentine or termites.