Black Swallowtail
(Papilio polyxenes)
Black Swallowtail sightings, by week (about)
Click to enlargeMuir SNA, Marquette Co., WI. July 31, 1999.
Click to enlargeMuir SNA, Marquette Co., WI. July 7, 2005.
Click to enlargeFond du Lac Co., WI. July 14, 2005.
Click to enlargeWautoma, Waushara Co., WI. June 28, 2002.
Click to enlargeOcracoke Island, Hyde Co., NC. March 26, 2007.
The Black Swallowtail is a common butterfly in Wisconsin. It commonly feeds on many different members of the Parsley family, including parsley, carrots, dill, and parsnip. It may also feed on Common Rue (Ruta graveolens) , a domesticated herb.
Identifying characteristics: Above: Black, with twin rows of yellowish spots on each wing. These markings are best defined in the male. Below: two rows of orange spots, and a yellow/orange hindwing cell spot, just to the inside of the submarginal band (orange colored in the top photo, this spot may be yellow or whitish).
Similar species: This species would most likely be confused with the Pipevine Swallowtail which has only a single row of spots below and the Spicebush Swallowtail which has an orange spot on the costa of the hind wing above, and no yellow/orange hindwing cell spot.
Habitat: Open areas; fields, meadows and parks where its larval hosts are found.
Flight: Two broods; early May and then in late July/August with the adults flying throughout August. A third brood may occur in the southern counties (Ebner, 1970).
Abundance: Common throughout the state.
Recent Black Swallowtail Sightings
| Date seen | County | Reported by |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Dane | Tod Highsmith |
| Saturday | Iowa | Ann Thering and Dave Eide |
| 07–14–2008 | Green Lake | Mike Reese |
| 07–12–2008 | Ozaukee | Judith Huf |
| 07–09–2008 | Waukesha | Laureanna Raymond-Duvernell |
| 07–09–2008 | Crawford | Mike Reese |
| 07–09–2008 | Dane | Ann Thering |
| 07–04–2008 | Dane | Jorgen Goderstad |
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Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes