Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon Lucas, 1852
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Upper surface of hindwing has yellow-orange eyespot near tail with round black center that is not connected to hindwing margin. Anal cell of hindwing is primarily yellow.
Wing Span: 2 3/4 - 3 1/2 inches (7 - 9 cm).
Life History: Males perch on hilltops and patrol for receptive females. Female lays eggs singly on host plant leaves and flowers. Young caterpillars eat leaves while older ones eat flowers. Chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: One flight from April-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Many species in the parsley family (Apiaceae), and some in the citrus family (Rutaceae).
Adult Food: Not reported.
Habitat: Bare hills, mountains, gardens, fields, vacant lots, and roadsides.
Range: From British Columbia southeast to North Dakota, south to s. California, Arizona, New Mexico; Baja California; Mexico. A rare stray to central Nebraska and eastern North Dakota.
Conservation: Not usually of concern.
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 25 - 48 of 1090 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 16, 2024
Submitted by: merops
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 18, 2024
Observation date: May 10, 2024
Submitted by: Darthmalius
Region: Del Norte County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 17, 2024
Observation date: Jun 13, 2024
Submitted by: Seth Mueller
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 14, 2024
Observation date: May 20, 2024
Submitted by: asabspade
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 14, 2024
Observation date: May 29, 2024
Submitted by: thekelliebly
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 06, 2024
Observation date: Jun 05, 2024
Submitted by: dfagan746
Region: Deschutes County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 05, 2024
Observation date: May 15, 2024
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: May 16, 2024
Observation date: May 08, 2024
Submitted by: dfagan746
Region: Wasco County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 10, 2024
Observation date: Apr 21, 2024
Submitted by: mcvaugh
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 22, 2024
Observation date: Apr 19, 2024
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Apr 20, 2024
Observation date: Jun 14, 2015
Submitted by: tiki33wv
Region: Park County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Apr 10, 2024
Observation date: Mar 19, 2024
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Mar 23, 2024
Observation date: Jan 29, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Feb 02, 2024
Observation date: Jul 16, 2023
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Rio Grande County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jan 11, 2024
Observation date: Jul 14, 2023
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Conejos County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Dec 09, 2023
Observation date: Jun 17, 2023
Submitted by: stevecary
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Dec 03, 2023
Observation date: Sep 29, 2023
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Sonoma County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 21, 2023
Observation date: Oct 05, 2023
Submitted by: Sierraofla@aol.com
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 05, 2023
Observation date: Sep 30, 2023
Submitted by: Patricia12
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 04, 2023
Observation date: Jul 16, 2023
Submitted by: abrasket
Region: Boulder County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Sep 10, 2023
Observation date: Aug 25, 2023
Submitted by: Patricia12
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 06, 2023
Observation date: Jul 27, 2017
Submitted by: dingoqueen
Region: Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Sep 03, 2023
Observation date: Apr 30, 2017
Submitted by: aidandebradney
Region: Wasatch County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 23, 2023
Observation date: Aug 07, 2023
Submitted by: aarongunnar
Region: Flathead County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 17, 2023
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