Ozark Swallowtail - Hodges#4160
Papilio joanae
This record describes Papilio joanae (species). Recorded family: Papilionidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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 (mostly black) in P. polyxenes . P. joanae more often has the dark pupil of the orange anal spot connected to the black margin on the hind wing (almost always so on the under side, usually on the upper) than does P. polyxenes . P. joanae is more restricted to wooded areas, while P. polyxenes is wide-ranging, and favors open sunny areas (more likely to be seen in the garden). Also, extremely similar to black form Papilio machaon bairdii , to which it is probably very closely related, but which occurs further west. Molecular studies imply that P. joanae might be an isolated subspecies of P. machaon .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Papilionidae (Swallowtails, Parnassians)
- Subfamily
- Papilioninae
- Tribe
- Papilionini
- Genus
- Papilio
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
primarily in the Ozark region, in Missouri and northern Arkansas; reported also from Kentucky; should be watched for in eastern Oklahoma and in southern Illinois.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Papilio joanae. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Ozark Swallowtail - Hodges#4160 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by David J. Ferguson; Additional contributions by Steve Nanz , James C. Trager
Frequently Asked Questions About Ozark Swallowtail - Hodges#4160
What is Ozark Swallowtail - Hodges#4160?
Ozark Swallowtail - Hodges#4160 (Papilio joanae) is a species in the family Papilionidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How do you identify Ozark Swallowtail - Hodges#4160?
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 (mostly black) in P. polyxenes . P. joanae more often has the dark pupil of the orange anal spot connected to the black margin on the hind wing (almost always so on the under side, usually on the upper) than does P. polyxenes . P. joanae is more restricted to wooded areas, while P. polyxenes is wide-ranging, and favors open sunny areas (more likely to be seen in the garden). Also, extremely similar to black form Papilio machaon bairdii , to which it is probably very closely related, but which occurs further west.
Where is Ozark Swallowtail - Hodges#4160 found?
Range: primarily in the Ozark region, in Missouri and northern Arkansas; reported also from Kentucky; should be watched for in eastern Oklahoma and in southern Illinois.