Black Swallowtail

Papilio polyxenes

Description:

I had to stop the car and reverse some meters to get a picture of this black beauty with my cell phone. Worth it!

2 Species ID Suggestions

Lara K 11 years ago

Spicebrush Swallowtail

Papilio troilus

NuwanChathuranga 11 years ago

Black Swallowtail

Papilio polyxenes Papilio polyxenes

5 Comments

KarenL 11 years ago

Lovely series!

SandraPereira 11 years ago

Very striking ...good catch

AndresDuarte 11 years ago

Niiceee!!!! Thank you!!!

KeithRoragen 11 years ago

This is a Black Swallowtail. You can differentiate Black Swallowtail from Spicebush because the Blacks Swallowtail has a black spot at the center of the orange spot on the inner margin of the hindwing. Spicebush Swallowtails have the orange spot, but no black spot at the center. Also, in Spicebush Swallowtails, the row of orange spots that runs down the middle of the underside of the hindwing is interrupted by a streak of blue that looks like a comet. You can see a side by side comparison at the link below.

http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/fra...