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Black Swallowtail

Papilio polyxenes

Description:

A female black swallotail I found in a tree in the park, although I can't be sure on its sex because males can mimic the female pattern. Very beautiful butterfly. They're also called the American swallowtail and Parsnip swallowtail. These butterflies partake in lek mating, where the males gather in large groups to display for females. They're also polyandrous and the state butterfly of Oklahoma.

Habitat:

Found from southern Canada through to South America. In North America they are more common east of the Rocky Mountains.

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The GeoDex
Spotted by
The GeoDex

Independence, Kansas, USA

Spotted on Jul 15, 2016
Submitted on Jul 15, 2016

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