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Canku Ota
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(Many Paths)
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An Online Newsletter
Celebrating Native America
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April 2018 - Volume
16 Number 4
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Black Swallowtail
Butterfly
Papilio
polyxenes
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by Wildlife Junior Journal
- NHPBS
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Classification |
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Kingdom:
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Animalia |
Phylum: |
Arthropoda |
Class: |
Insecta |
Order: |
Lepidoptera |
Family: |
Papilionidae
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Genus: |
Papilio |
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Description |
Range |
The black swallowtail has a wingspan of 3-4 inches. The
uppersides of its wings are dark blue to black with rows of
yellow spots along the edges of its hindwings and forewings.
It also has a blue band of spots and reddish orange eyespots
on its hindwings. The undersides of its wings are black with
two rows of orange spots.
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The
black swallowtail has a wingspan of 3-4 inches.
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The black swallowtail's range stretches from southern Canada
to northern Mexico. It is found in most of the eastern United
States as well as parts of the western United States including
California, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico. The black swallowtail
is found throughout New Hampshire. |
Habitat |
Diet |
The black swallowtail is found in open areas including
fields, parks, and meadows.
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The black swallowtail caterpillar feeds on
many different plants in the Apiaceae, or carrot family, including
Queen Anne's lace, celery, parsley, carrots, dill, and parsnip.
The butterfly eats nectar from a variety of plants including
clover, milkweed, thistles, and phlox.
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The
black swallowtail butterfly eats nectar from a variety
of plants including clover, milkweed, thistles, and
phlox.
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Lifecycle |
The black swallowtail has two generations
a year. The first group of butterflies emerges between
late April and early June after having overwintered in
the chrysalis. They mate and then the females lay small
white eggs on the underside and tops of plant leaves.
The eggs hatch in 3-5 days. The caterpillar that emerges
is black with a white band around its middle. As it grows,
it develops reddish orange spikes on its body. Later,
the white band disappears and the caterpillar develops
green and black bands with yellow spots. It pupates for
9-11 days, unless it is in the generation that overwinters.
The second group of butterflies emerges in the late summer.
The second generation mates, and their eggs become the
first generation the next spring! |
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The
black swallowtail caterpillar feeds on many different
plants in the Apiaceae, or carrot family
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