Black Swallowtail "Papilio Polyxenes" from Eden of Wings Nursery, FL

Wingspans: 3" to 4"

The black Swallowtail also know as Parsnip Swallowtail is a fairly large black butterfly with yellow bands and tails. The wings are edged by yellow spots on the upper side. The hindwing has a small red and black eyespot near the base of the tail. On the underside of the hindwing there are two rows of orange spots bordering a zone of blue and black. Males have a wide yellow band across the middle of the wings above. The band is reduce to a small spots in the female. The upside of hindwing of females usually has extensive blue. This one of the smallest swallowtail in Florida.

Larva: You caterpillars are black with a white saddle and look like a bird dropping. The mature larvae is green with a black bands and yellow spots. The width of the black bands varies, and occasionally nearly all black caterpillars can be found. The osmeterium is bright yellow.

Pupa: The chrysalis may be green with yellow markings or brown.

What are the Host Plants for the Black Swallowtail Butterfly?  "celery family"

* Eryngium Aquaticum " rattle snake master"

* Eryngium Yuccifolium " button rattle snake master"

* Dill- Curly Parsley- Fennel- Anise....

* Zizia Aurea " Golden Alexanders"

* Ptilimnium Capillaceum " Mock Bishop's weed"