Where’s Wildlife · Butterfly Field Guide
Papilio cresphontes
Broad yellow bands and long hindwing tails make this large butterfly a memorable visitor.
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BUTTERFLY FIELD NOTES
The dark upperwings carry bands of yellow spots, with a yellow spot near each tail tip. The undersides are mostly yellow with darker markings. This species is also called the Eastern Giant Swallowtail. [1]
Compare the field photographs below. Select any image to browse the full gallery.
Females lay eggs singly on host plants in the citrus family. Caterpillars have mottled brown-and-white camouflage resembling bird droppings. The winter stage is a chrysalis. [1]
Prickly ash and hop tree support caterpillars in the Midwest. These plants belong to the citrus family despite their common names; they are not true ash trees. [1]
Explore reported Giant Swallowtail sightings. Observation records show where people have documented this species and are not a complete range map.
[1] Missouri Department of Conservation — Eastern Giant Swallowtail
Identification, host plants, adult feeding, and life cycle.
[2] Mississippi State University Extension — Orange Dog
Citrus-family hosts and the caterpillar’s common name.