| Thoas Swallowtail | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Papilionidae |
| Genus: | Papilio |
| Species: | P. thoas |
| Binomial name | |
| Papilio thoas Linnaeus, 1771 |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Heraclides thoas |
|
The King Swallowtail or Thoas Swallowtail (Papilio thoas) is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. It is found in the United States and Mexico ranging to the southernmost parts of South America. It is easily confused with the Giant Swallowtail.
The wingspan is 100–130 mm. In the tropics the butterfly flies year-round, in North America from April to July depending on the location, and In South America in spring and summer months.
The larvae feed on plants of the citrus family, Rutaceae. The adults feed on nectar of Lantana, Caesalpinia, and Bougainvillea among other species.
Listed alphabetically.[1]