Pale Swallowtail
Common NamePale Swallowtail
Scientific NamePapilio eurymedon
FamilyPapilionidae
SubfamilyPapilioninae
Wingspan (mm)85
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorswhite, black, blue, orange
HabitatOpen woodlands, canyons, riparian areas, forest edges, chaparral
Geographic RangeWestern North America, from British Columbia south to Baja California, and east to the Rocky Mountains
Host PlantsRhamnus, Alnus, Salix, Prunus, Crataegus
Flight PeriodMay to August
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesFemales lay single eggs on host plant leaves. Larvae are green with small yellow spots and a faint yellow lateral stripe, often mimicking bird droppings when young. They pupate into a chrysalis that can be green or brown, overwintering in this stage.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its pale (white to creamy yellow) ground color and thick black stripes. The lack of significant yellow coloration (compared to Tiger Swallowtails) and the specific pattern of black stripes are key, along with prominent tails on the hindwings.
Description
A large swallowtail butterfly characterized by its creamy white to pale yellow ground color heavily marked with bold black stripes. Its hindwings feature prominent tails and a submarginal band of blue and orange spots.
