Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1372572

Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes

Observation date: October 06, 2023
Submitted by: cp2023
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Chomping on parsley, with a second one nearby on a separate plant
Status: Resident
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: October 07, 2023
Coordinator notes: I'm raising some of these right now myself, on parsley. I set out pots of parsley which are then visited by ovipositing females, and when I see caterpillars I set the pots into a cage so they're safe from predators. They overwinter as pupae in my barn (important to keep them cold so they don't eclose (emerge) until the right time (usually late May or thereabouts).
Checklist region(s): United States, Connecticut, Fairfield County