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 49 - 72 of 1100 verified sightings
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
Observation date: Aug 06, 2023
Submitted by: CheddahCurt
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Aug 10, 2023
Observation date: Aug 03, 2023
Submitted by: pamelmmc
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 07, 2023
Observation date: Aug 04, 2023
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Grays Harbor County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 06, 2023
Observation date: Aug 06, 2023
Submitted by: weflybye
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 06, 2023
Observation date: Jul 27, 2023
Submitted by: Dobber31
Region: San Mateo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 04, 2023
Observation date: Jul 26, 2023
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 03, 2023
Observation date: Jul 10, 2023
Submitted by: regina rochefort
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 24, 2023
Observation date: Jul 11, 2023
Submitted by: Rainbowhands2
Region: Gunnison County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 24, 2023
Observation date: Jun 09, 2023
Submitted by: sgguthart
Region: Larimer County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 24, 2023
Observation date: Jul 18, 2023
Submitted by: regina rochefort
Region: Skagit County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 20, 2023
Observation date: Jul 14, 2023
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 15, 2023
Observation date: Jul 14, 2023
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 15, 2023
Observation date: Jul 14, 2023
Submitted by: RoxannaTessman
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 14, 2023
Observation date: Jul 03, 2023
Submitted by: RoxannaTessman
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 12, 2023
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