Observation date: August 23, 2017
Submitted by: margiff
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: At least six of these have become trapped under our shade structure over the last few days. I had never before seen these. We wonder if they got pushed out here to the Los Angeles basin area (Pasadena) by the hurricane on the gulf, or if they are actually hatching or migrating. We have citrus and fig trees in the garden.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: August 26, 2017
Coordinator notes: This is technically Papilio rumiko a sibling species closely related to the Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes). Rumiko is not yet recognized by BAMONA. The Thoas Swallowtail has not yet been found in California and it has a more continuous and broader spot band on the upperside. Papilio rumiko was first found in California in 1963 and reached the Los Angeles area about 20 years ago. It is a citrus feeder.-Ken Davenport