Pale Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon Lucas, 1852
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Upper surface of wings creamy white with black stripes. Front wing is narrow and pointed; tail of hindwing is long, slender and twisted.
Wing Span: 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 inches (6.4 - 9 cm).
Life History: Males perch and patrol for receptive females. Females lay eggs singly on host plant leaves. Caterpillars feed on leaves and rest on silken mats in shelters of curled leaves. Pupae hibernate.
Flight: One flight from April-July, many flights in southern California from March-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Trees and shrubs in the Rosaceae, Rhamnaceae and Betulaceae families including cherry (Prunus emarginata), coffee-berry (Rhamnus californica), and ash (Fraxinus spp.).
Adult Food: Flower nectar including California buckeye, yerba santa, and wallflower.
Habitat: Foothills, open woodlands, chaparral, streamsides.
Range: British Columbia east to Montana, south to New Mexico. California and Baja California.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None noted.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 915 verified sightings
Observation date: Mar 27, 2024
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Nov 14, 2024
Observation date: Aug 19, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 20, 2024
Observation date: May 23, 2021
Submitted by: Buddy Mays
Region: Jefferson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 14, 2024
Observation date: Jul 14, 2024
Submitted by: pmckern
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 21, 2024
Observation date: Jul 03, 2024
Submitted by: Karen Richardson
Region: Plumas County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 11, 2024
Observation date: Jun 24, 2024
Submitted by: TomPeterson
Region: Tulare County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 01, 2024
Observation date: Jun 25, 2024
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 25, 2024
Observation date: Jun 19, 2024
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2024
Observation date: Jun 17, 2024
Submitted by: twofried
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 18, 2024
Observation date: Jun 08, 2024
Submitted by: ElleKenney
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 14, 2024
Observation date: Jun 13, 2024
Submitted by: Akuniholm
Region: Chelan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 14, 2024
Observation date: Jun 05, 2024
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 06, 2024
Observation date: May 12, 2024
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: May 15, 2024
Observation date: May 11, 2024
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 12, 2024
Observation date: Apr 11, 2024
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 02, 2024
Observation date: Apr 23, 2024
Submitted by: Beeeater
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 24, 2024
Observation date: Apr 03, 2024
Submitted by: ctf5085
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 09, 2024
Observation date: Apr 02, 2024
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 04, 2024
Observation date: Feb 16, 2024
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 17, 2024
Observation date: Jun 17, 2023
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Colfax County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Dec 03, 2023
Observation date: May 27, 2023
Submitted by: Gordon Phillips
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Nov 12, 2023
Observation date: Apr 09, 2023
Submitted by: Ysabel081601
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 28, 2023
Observation date: Jun 29, 2023
Submitted by: Kerry Turley
Region: Yakima County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 18, 2023
Observation date: Jun 04, 2023
Submitted by: Blackmun
Region: Teton County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Sep 12, 2023
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