Pupa
Zebra-Kite Swallowtail (N. marcellus)
1st instar larva
5th instar larva
Description: Wingspan can range from 6.4-10.4 cm, long "kite" tails, dorsal side has long black stripes with 2 small red dots in the middle, ventral side has more muted, smaller stripes with a red line going down the middle.
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Habitat: lives mainly in woods, riversides, primarily with pawpaw trees nearby
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Host Plant(s): Pawpaw
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Range/Frequency: Zebra Swallowtails have been most spotted in Lancaster, Dauphin, Fayette, York, and Lebanon county in the months of April, June, July, and August. They are most common in Pennsylvania overall from April to August.
Pupa
Giant Swallowtail (H. cresphontes)
Larvae
Description: Male wingspan ranges from 15-19 cm, females range from 14-18 cm. Females are usually bigger than males, though. Biggest butterfly in North America, very easy to identify in PA.
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Habitat: lives mainly in woodlands, orchards, and meadows
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Host Plant(s): Citrus, Rue, Prickly Ash, Lemon
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Range/Frequency: Giant Swallowtails have been seen in lots of counties, the most common sightings being in Centre, Pike, York, Montgomery, Wayne, Susquehanna, Lancaster, and Butler County. Giant Swallowtails are most commonly seen during August and parts of July and September.
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Final-Instar larva
Black Swallowtail (P. polyxenes)
Eggs
Early-Instar Larva
Description: Big black wings on dorsal side, males have a yellow band that runs through their wings, females have bright blue with red spots on their hindwings, wingspan 8-11 cm
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Habitat: open fields, suburbs, roadsides, deserts, marshes
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Host Plant(s): Rue, Parsley, Dill, Fennel, Carrot, Queen Anne's Lace, Golden Alexanders
Range/Frequency: Black Swallowtails have been seen in lots of counties, the most common sightings being in Montgomery, Chester, Bucks, and Lycoming County. They fly from May to August/September.
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Palamedes Swallowtail (P. palamedes)
Description: Big black wings on dorsal side with a big yellow band running through, ventral side with almost the same thing but blue spots as well, wingspan 11.4-13cm
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Habitat: wet woods, near rivers, swamp forests
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Host Plant(s): Sassafras, Red bay
Range/Frequency: There has only ever been one Palamedes Swallowtail sighting in PA, in Berks County. It does not breed here and should be considered a very rare stray.
3rd and 4th instar Larvae
Pipevine Swallowtail (B. philenor)
Eggs
Description: Big black wings on dorsal side with iridescent blue on the hindwing. Wingspan 7-13 cm.
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Habitat: open areas such as woodland edges
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Host Plant(s): Wooly Pipevine (A. tomentosa) and Dutchman's Pipe (A. macrophylla)
Range/Frequency: Pipevine Swallowtails have been most commonly spotted in Philadelphia, Adams, Franklin, Chester, Centre, Juanita, and Bucks County. They fly from June to September.
Spicebush Swallowtail (P. troilus)
Description: Big black wings on dorsal side with iridescent blue on the hindwing. Sometime called Green- Clouded Swallowtail. Wingspan 7.5-10 cm.
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Habitat: woods, fields, roadsides, swamps, parks
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Host Plant(s): Spicebush and Sassafras
Range/Frequency: Spicebush Swallowtails have been most commonly spotted in Centre, Chester, Butler, Monroe, Northampton, and Lycoming County. They fly from May to September.
Pupa
Tiger Swallowtail (P. glaucas)
Description: Yellow wings with black and blue bands on the top and bottom of the wings. Dark form is all-black with blue bands at the bottom of hindwing. Wingspan 6.2-11.4 cm
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Habitat: open areas such as wood/forest edges
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Host Plant(s): Magnolias, Tulip Trees, Black Cherry Trees
Range/Frequency: Tiger Swallowtails have been most spotted in Centre, Montgomery, Chester, Bucks, Delaware, and Butler county. They fly from May to September, but you may find some early-wakers if the weather is warm enough in March and April.