Black Swallowtail
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| Black Swallowtail | ||||||||||||||||
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| Papilio polyxenes Fabricius, 1775 |
The Black Swallowtail, Papilio polyxenes, also called the American or parsnip swallowtail[1], is a butterfly found throughout much of North America. It is the state butterfly of Oklahoma. There is an extremely similar-appearing species, Papilio joanae that occurs in the Ozark Mountains region, but it appears to be closely related to Papilio machaon, rather than polyxenes.
The Black Swallowtail has a wingspan of 3 1/4 inches to 4 1/4 inches (8 to 11 centimeters). The upper surface of the wings is mostly black. On the inner edge of hindwing is a black spot centered in larger orange spot. A male of this species has a yellow band near edge of wings; a female has row of yellow spots. The hindwing of the female has an iridescent blue band.
In the Southwest USA, yellow forms predominate in the subspecies Papilio polyxenes coloro.
After mating, small, yellow eggs are laid, typically on garden plants from the carrot family, including dill, fennel and parsley. First instar larvae grow to about 1.5 cm (0.6 inch) long, resemble bird droppings and are dark purple-brown with a white band in the middle and have spikes, with a light brown-orange ring at the base of each of the spikes in the dark region (spikes are white on the white band). Later instars grow to about 5 cm (2 inches) and are yellow-white and black banded with yellow spots around every second black band. They have short, black spikes around some of the black bands, although these tend to disappear as the larva nears pupation.
The Black Swallowtail Caterpillar has an orange "forked gland", called the osmeterium. When in danger the osmeterium, which looks like a snake's tongue, everts and releases a foul smell to repel predators.
The Black Swallowtail chrysalis is either brown or green in color, depending upon what the caterpillar attaches itself to. This feature provides excellent camouflage to protect it.
[edit] Popular culture
In the Japanese anime and manga series Bleach, black swallowtail butterflies are the product of a ritual that helps the dead rest in peace.
 First instar caterpillar in Northeast Georgia. |
 Second or third instar larvae in Northeast Georgia. These still have spikes. |
 A caterpillar which will soon pupate. |
 Closeup of another caterpillar soon ready to pupate |
 Macro image of a Swallowtail caterpillar found in Southern Ontario. |
 Female specimen. |
[edit] References
- ^ Castner, J.L.. Electronic Data Information Source. Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. University of Florida. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
- Eastern Black Swallowtail Butterfly: Large format reference quality (free) photographs Cirrus Digital Imaging
- Papilio polyxenes (TSN 188543). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 6 February 2006.
This article is adapted in part from this page at the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center.
