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 1 - 24 of 1084 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 14, 2024
Submitted by: CJ on the CC
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 23, 2024
Observation date: Sep 30, 2015
Submitted by: Alison Davies
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 12, 2024
Observation date: Jul 08, 2014
Submitted by: papilio1
Region: Washoe County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 12, 2024
Observation date: Jul 05, 2024
Submitted by: dvollmar
Region: Pennington County, South Dakota, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Aug 11, 2024
Observation date: Sep 13, 2020
Submitted by: Alison Davies
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 05, 2024
Observation date: Aug 04, 2024
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 05, 2024
Observation date: Apr 19, 2024
Submitted by: KCarleton
Region: Kootenai County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Jul 31, 2024
Observation date: May 08, 2024
Submitted by: Joshua C
Region: Cibola County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 23, 2024
Observation date: Jul 13, 2024
Submitted by: tjay13
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 17, 2024
Observation date: Jul 13, 2024
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 16, 2024
Observation date: Jul 05, 2024
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 08, 2024
Observation date: Jun 23, 2024
Submitted by: k.d.stutzman
Region: Park County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 08, 2024
Observation date: Jun 20, 2024
Submitted by: mathgeek
Region: Park County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 08, 2024
Observation date: May 20, 2024
Submitted by: mongoose
Region: Deschutes County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 01, 2024
Observation date: Jun 20, 2024
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2024
Observation date: Jun 20, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 22, 2024
Observation date: Jun 19, 2024
Submitted by: LightScavenger
Region: Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 20, 2024
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: 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
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