Two-tailed Swallowtail
Common NameTwo-tailed Swallowtail
Scientific NamePapilio multicaudata
FamilyPapilionidae
SubfamilyPapilioninae
Wingspan (mm)130
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsyellow, black
HabitatCanyons, riparian areas, foothills, mountain forests, urban gardens
Geographic RangeWestern North America, from British Columbia south through the western US to Mexico
Host Plantschokecherry, ash, willow, aspen, citrus
Flight PeriodMay to September
Flight Stylegliding
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae are green with false eyespots, camouflaging as bird droppings when young, and pupate into a chrysalis that overwinters.
Identification TipsDistinguished by having two tails on each hindwing (most other tiger swallowtails have one) and typically four black stripes on the forewing. It is also generally larger than other North American tiger swallowtails.
Description
A very large, bright yellow butterfly with four prominent black tiger stripes on its forewings and two long, slender tails on each hindwing, which also display blue and orange spots along the black margin.
