Description
The Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) is a butterfly native to North America, featuring predominantly black wings with distinctive yellow spots and a row of blue scales on the hindwings, along with two prominent orange eye spots near the tail. It’s fairly common in herb gardens where the caterpillars feed on dill, parsley and celery.
Range
It is found throughout the state.
Similar Species
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail dark morph is similar, but is larger, and has less yellow.
Host Plants
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), Dill (Anethum graveolens), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Carrot (Daucus carota), Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota) – wild carrot, Rue (Ruta graveolens), Celery (Apium graveolens), Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea)
These plants are typical hosts, but the larvae may feed on other Apiaceae family members if available.
Flight
Overwinters in chrysalis, and can emerge as early as March and can fly until October (depending on the weather)