Lepidoptera41 species

Family Swallowtails, Parnassians (Papilionidae)

Papilionidae is a family in the order Lepidoptera. Browse 41 named species recorded in this family, or open an individual profile for its available identification and natural-history information.

Guides

Swallowtail Butterfly Guide

Species in Papilionidae (41)

Polydamas Swallowtail - Hodges#4158

Battus polydamas

Identification: Lacks tails. Black above with submarginal yellow band. Larva somewhat similar to Pipevine Swallowtail, but spines are orange and body marked with stripes

Dark Kite-Swallowtail - Hodges#4185

Eurytides philolaus

Identification: Upper surface of male forewing has broad black bars; female similar or an almost completely black form. Both with long tails First U.S. Record: South Padre Island, Hidalgo Co., TX - 1958 (Kendall & McGuire 1984)

Tailed Jay

Graphium agamemnon

Graphium agamemnon, the tailed jay, is a predominantly green and black tropical butterfly that belongs to the swallowtail family. The butterfly is also called the green-spotted triangle, tailed green jay, or green triangle. It is a common, non-threat

Common Bluebottle

Graphium sarpedon

Graphium sarpedon, the common bluebottle or blue triangle in Australia, is a species of swallowtail butterfly, that is found in South and Southeast Asia, as well as eastern Australia. There are approximately sixteen subspecies with differing geograph

Eastern Giant Swallowtail

Heraclides cresphontes

Papilio cresphontes, the giant swallowtail or in its larval phase the orange dog or orange puppy, is a swallowtail butterfly common in parts of North America and marginally into South America. In the United States and Canada it is mainly found in the

Broad-banded Swallowtail - Hodges#4173

Heraclides pallas

Identification: Strongly sexually dimorphic. On the upper side the male has a very broad yellow median band, wider than any other species in its range, and long all-black tails. Females are dark brown with short, stubby tails. Both sexes have a row o

Western Giant Swallowtail

Heraclides rumiko

Papilio rumiko is a species of swallowtail butterfly. It is found from the south-western United States, through Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica to Panama. The northernmost record is north-eastern Colorado.

Scarce Swallowtail

Iphiclides podalirius

The scarce swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) is a butterfly belonging to the family Papilionidae. It is also called the sail swallowtail or pear-tree swallowtail.

Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3

Papilio appalachiensis

Identification: Similar in shape to the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, but much larger. Differences from the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, which commonly flies at the same time and in the same locations as Appalachian: 1) Noticeably larger than the spring

Short-tailed Swallowtail - Hodges#4163

Papilio brevicauda

Identification: Adult: wings rounded, black, crossed by double row of yellow spots, often with an orange wash; hindwing has red-orange eye-spot with black center; tails generally quite short Larva: early instars brown with white saddle, resembling a

Lime Swallowtail

Papilio demoleus

Papilio demoleus is a common and widespread swallowtail butterfly. The butterfly is also known as the common lime butterfly, lemon butterfly, lime swallowtail, small citrus butterfly, chequered swallowtail, dingy swallowtail and citrus swallowtail. T

Ozark Swallowtail - Hodges#4160

Papilio joanae

Identification: Closely similar to Papilio polyxenes and difficult to distinguish from that species. The tegulae of the prothorax (little "hairy" flaps above the base of the front wings) are often almost entirely yellow in this species and rarely so

Old World Swallowtail

Papilio machaon

Papilio machaon, the Old World swallowtail, is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. The butterfly is also known as the common yellow swallowtail or simply the swallowtail (a common name applied to all members of the family, but this species is the

Palamedes Swallowtail

Papilio palamedes

Papilio palamedes, the Palamedes swallowtail or laurel swallowtail, is a North American butterfly in the family Papilionidae.

Three-tailed Swallowtail - Hodges#4180

Papilio pilumnus

Identification: Upperside of both fore- and hindwings yellow with black basal band. Wings bordered by a black band with submarginal yellow stripe. Hindwing has 3 tails and 2 blue spots above the shortest tail Kendall & McGuire discuss several s. TX r

Common Mormon Swallowtail

Papilio polytes

Papilio polytes, the common Mormon, is a common species of swallowtail butterfly widely distributed across Asia.

Western Giant Swallowtail - Hodges#4170.1

Papilio rumiko

Identification: Side-by-side Photo Comparison and Discussion It is debated as to whether this is truly a distinct species or a regional variant of P. cresphontes . There is evidence that the two may intergrade, but more study is needed on the subject

Clodius Parnassian - Hodges#4154

Parnassius clodius

Identification: The Clodius Parnassian is the only parnassian whose distribution is restricted to North America [ depending on recognition of American P. smintheus & P. behrii as full species or as part of P. phoebus ] . P. clodius is very similar to

Eversmann's Parnassian - Hodges#4153

Parnassius eversmanni

Identification: Closely related to, and similar to Parnassius clodius , but usually smaller in size and with wings decidedly tinged yellow. Dark markings tend to be better developed in P. eversmanni . Differs from Parnassius smintheus / phoebus in t

Rocky Mountain Parnassian - Hodges#4155.2

Parnassius smintheus

Identification: Antenna has alternate black and white rings. Upperside of forewing of females and most males with 2 red or yellow spots beyond the cell. In some males these spots are black. Often called by the name Parnassius phoebus , a closely rela