The Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) is a butterfly widely distributed throughout much of North America, and it is the state butterfly of Oklahoma and New Jersey. It is usually found in open areas like fields, parks, marshes, or deserts, and tropical or temperate habitats are preferred. The adult female butterfly is typically larger than the male. The upper wing is black with two rows of yellow spots, and the female Black Swallowtail has a prominent blue area between the two rows. Both sexes have a red spot with a black bullseye on the inner hind margin of the hindwings and a single yellow spot on the front edge.
The Black Swallowtail has a total wingspan in the range of 2.64”-3.5” (67-89 mm). The body of the Black Swallowtail has an overall length between .79”-1.1” (20-28 mm), body width of .13”-.18” (3.3-4.6 mm), and body height of .18”-.22” (4.5-5.5 mm). The typical lifespan of the Black Swallowtail is between 2-3 months.
The Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) is a butterfly widely distributed throughout much of North America, and it is the state butterfly of Oklahoma and New Jersey. It is usually found in open areas like fields, parks, marshes, or deserts, and tropical or temperate habitats are preferred. The adult female butterfly is typically larger than the male. The upper wing is black with two rows of yellow spots, and the female Black Swallowtail has a prominent blue area between the two rows. Both sexes have a red spot with a black bullseye on the inner hind margin of the hindwings and a single yellow spot on the front edge.
The Black Swallowtail has a total wingspan in the range of 2.64”-3.5” (67-89 mm). The body of the Black Swallowtail has an overall length between .79”-1.1” (20-28 mm), body width of .13”-.18” (3.3-4.6 mm), and body height of .18”-.22” (4.5-5.5 mm). The typical lifespan of the Black Swallowtail is between 2-3 months.