Papilionidae Archives

Papilionidae - Swallowtail Butterflies

There are over 550 species of butterflies in this family. Swallowtail butterflies are found on all continents, except Antarctica.

Most species are found in warm, tropical climates and are large and brightly colored.

Swallowtail butterflies get their name from the tail-like extension on the hindwings of many species in this family.

Caterpillars in this family have a forked organ on their heads called the osmeterium that emits a foul-smelling odor when the caterpillar is disturbed by a predator.

Confused Swallowtail
(Battus ingenuus)

The confused swallowtail is found in Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Lycidas Swallowtail
(Battus lycidas)

Lycidas swallowtail is found in Mexico, Central America, and South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Pipevine Swallowtail
(Battus philenor)

The pipevine swallowtail is found across much of the U.S.. It is found in New Hampshire. It is also found in Mexico and southern Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Gold Rim Swallowtail
(Battus polydamas)

The gold rim swallowtail is found in Texas and Florida. It is also found in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Bahaman Swallowtail
(Papilio andraemon)

The Bahaman swallowtail is found in Florida, the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and Cuba. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Broad-Banded Swallowtail
(Papilio astyalus)

The broad-banded swallowtail is found in Central America and South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Canadian Swallowtail
(Papilio canadensis)

The Canadian swwallowtail is found across much of Canada. It is also found in Alaska and the northern U.S. It is found in New Hampshire.
Giant Swallowtail
(Papilio cresphontes)

The giant swallowtail is found in the eastern and southern U.S. It is also found in Bermuda, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Canada. It is found in New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
(Papilio glaucus)

The eastern tiger swallowtail is found in North America east of the Rocky Mountains from Ontario south to the Gulf coast and northern Mexico. It is found in New Hampshire.
Two-Tailed Tiger Swallowtail
(Papilio multicaudata)

The two-tailed tiger swallowtail is found in Wyoming, Washington, Utah, South Dakota, Oregon, North Dakota, Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, New Mexico, Kansas, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada, and California. It is also found in Canada, Guatemala, and Mexico. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Black Swallowtail
(Papilio polyxenes)

The black swallowtail's range stretches from southern Canada to northern Mexico. It is found throughout New Hampshire. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Spicebush Swallowtail
(Papilio troilus)

The spicebush swallowtail is found across the eastern half of the U.S. It is found in New Hampshire.
Anise Swallowtail
(Papilio zelicaon)

The Anise swallowtail is found in the western U.S. and Canada. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Eversmann's Parnassian
(Parnassius eversmanni)

Eversmann's Parnassian is found in Alaska, Canada, Russia, Mongolia, China, Japan, Kazakhstan, and North Korea. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Southern Cattle Heart
(Parides sesostris)

The southern cattle heart is found in Mexico, Central America, and South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern
Short-Lined Kite Swallowtail
(Protographium agesilaus)

The short-lined kite swallowtail is found in Mexico, Central America, and South America. IUCN Redlist Status: Least Concern