Thoas Swallowtail

Description:

The upper side of the Thoas swallowtail has a diagonal yellow band in a neat row. Wing Span: 4 1/8 - 5 inches (10.5 - 12.8 cm). The caterpillar stage looks like bird droppings. Thoas caterpillars eat members of the black pepper family. This is a large, strong butterfly that hovers, much like a hummingbird, rather than landing when visiting flowers for nectar.

Habitat:

Native to South Texas south to Brazil. Occasionally can be seen in Kansas and Oklahoma. This spotting was at a butterfly garden in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.