Papilio polyxenes
Scientific NamePapilio polyxenes
FamilyPapilionidae
HabitatOpen fields, meadows, gardens, roadsides, and urban areas across North America.
Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Description
A large, striking black butterfly with two prominent rows of yellow spots on its wings. The hindwings feature iridescent blue scaling and a distinctive orange spot with a black center (ocellus) near the tail. Females tend to be larger and exhibit more blue on their hindwings than males. They possess characteristic 'tails' on their hindwings, typical of swallowtail butterflies.
