Discover the anise swallowtail butterfly

FALLBROOK – Wings of Change is pleased to discuss a local favorite anise swallowtail, papilio zelicaon Lucas, for its November Butterfly of the Month. The anise swallowtail is a giant yellow and black butterfly that can be commonly seen throughout most of the Western United States and into Mexico. Their habitats include hills, mountains, gardens, fields, vacant lots, and roadsides. They take one migrational flight from April to July.

The adult butterfly ranges from 2 ¾ to 3 ½ inches in wingspan and encompasses a pale yellow color on its inner wings with black stripes. Additionally, they have a black marginal band created by separate yellow spots. These pretty butterflies usually have small blue dots and two rust colored dots towards the bottom of the wings. The outer wings are similarly colored but are primarily yellow.

This butterfly will only lay its eggs on plants in the carrot/parsley family (Apiaceae), and some in the citrus family (Rutaceae). Native plants include flax, rattlesnake weed, biscuitroot, water hemlock, water dropwort, woolly fruited lomatium, spring parsley, and southern tauschia. Non-notive plants include carrot, parsley, fennel and dill.

During mating season, males patrol habitats in search of receptive females. After mating, the females lay single eggs on leaves and will lay up to four batches of eggs in a season, totaling up to 100 eggs. The larvae emerge from their egg after about four days. The younger caterpillars will eat leaves while the older ones will feed on both leaves and flowers.

The swallowtail caterpillar starts out as a brown and white caterpillar with spikes; some people think it looks like a bird dropping. It grows into a large, chubby green caterpillar with stripes formed from black, orange, and blue dots. It has an interesting defense mechanism, called "osmeteria.' The caterpillar protrudes a v-shaped organ from the front of its head, that omits a foul odor and sticky substance. They are commonly mistaken as the Tomato HornWorm. When first seen, they may be very shocking and leave the viewer in a state of confusion.

The caterpillars' chrysalis are shades of brown and look like tree bark with pointed ends. The caterpillar attaches itself to the stem of a plant and then spins a pupa, turning into a chrysalis. They usually emerge after 10-14 days.

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Submitted by Wings of Change.