Black Swallowtail Butterfly

Description:

"The (eastern) black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), also called the American swallowtail or parsnip swallowtail,[1] is a butterfly found throughout much of North America. It is the state butterfly of Oklahoma. An extremely similar-appearing species, Papilio joanae, occurs in the Ozark Mountains region, but it appears to be closely related to Papilio machaon, rather than P. polyxenes. The species is named after a figure in Greek mythology, Polyxena (pron.: /pəˈlɪksɨnə/; Greek: Πολυξένη) who was the youngest daughter of King Priam of Troy. The Papilio polyxenes demonstrate polytandry and a lek mating system, showing no male parental care and display sites. Females are therefore able to choose males based on these sites and males are the only resource the females find at these sites."

Habitat:

"Papilio polyxenes are found from Southern Canada through to South America. In North America they are more common east of the Rocky Mountains.[4][5] They are usually found in open areas like fields, parks, marshes or deserts, and they prefer tropical or temperate habitats."

Notes:

I raised these two specimens myself from a local population. I raised these males from eggs.