Swallowtail Butterflies

Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilionidae) Anise Swallowtail Clodius Parnassian Eastern Black Swallowtail Giant Swallowtail Pale Swallowtail Pipevine Swallowtail Spicebrush Swallowtail Western Tiger Swallowtail Zebra Swallowtail Types of Butterflies

Swallowtail butterflies are members of the Papilionidae family.

In the United States Papilionidae divide into two sub-families, Swallowtails (Papilioninae) and Parnassians (Parnassiinae).

The Clodius Parnassian (Parnassius clodius) is one of only a couple of parnassian species found in the United States.

Swallowtail butterflies (Papilioninae) generally rank as largest species present in any given location. Overall size and the long tails at the bottom of the wings serve as basic field identification marks.

Approximately forty different Papilioninae species live in the United States. Most have a limited geographical range. Three-quarters of the species belong to the Papilio genus. The Pipevine and Zebra Swallowtails are the only two non-Papillo species presented here.

Field identification of swallowtails can sometimes be problematic. Most species are patrollers, constantly in flight around a specific territory, making species identification difficult.

Early morning and late evening hours normally are the best times to find them nectaring on flowers or puddling on the ground. Photographing them is an easier task during their stationary times.

Please click on a link to learn more about a specific species.

© 2007-2008. Patricia A. Michaels