Desert Swallowtail
Common NameDesert Swallowtail
Scientific NamePapilio indra
FamilyPapilionidae
SubfamilyPapilioninae
Wingspan (mm)75
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsyellow, black, blue, orange
HabitatArid canyons, rocky slopes, desert scrub, sagebrush steppe
Geographic RangeWestern North America (primarily western United States and parts of Canada)
Host PlantsLomatium parryi, Lomatium dissectum, Lomatium grayi, Tauschia arguta
Flight PeriodMarch to July (varies by subspecies and location, sometimes a second brood in late summer)
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae are green with black bands and yellow spots, possessing an osmeterium for defense. Pupae are cryptic, resembling twigs or bark, and the species typically overwinters as a chrysalis.
Identification TipsLook for the bold yellow and black striped pattern, the prominent tails, and the combination of blue scaling and orange eyespots on the hindwings. Often found in rocky, arid environments where its host plants grow.
Description
A striking swallowtail butterfly with broad yellow bands on a black background, featuring prominent tails on the hindwings and distinctive blue scaling and orange eyespots near the tails.
