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How to Find a Black Swallowtail Butterfly

The black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes) is also known as the eastern black swallowtail and the American swallowtail. It has black wings with yellow markings near the back edges of their forewings and hindwings. They also have blue and red markings on their hindwings. They are very common and easy to find once you know where to look.

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The black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes) is also known as the eastern black swallowtail and the American swallowtail. It has black wings with yellow markings near the back edges of the forewings and hindwings. They also have blue and red markings on their hindwings. They are very common and easy to find once you know where to look.

Instructions

- 1
  
  Black swallowtail butterflies do not migrate like other species.
  
  Start looking in April and May, when black swallowtails first begin to emerge from their chrysalises. Black swallowtails do not migrate, but overwinter in chrysalis.
- 2
  Look in the eastern and southwestern United States. Black swallowtails can be found in almost all of the 48 continental United States except for Washington, Oregon, Montana and Idaho. It has a limited range in California, Nevada, Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. They can also be found in parts of southern Canada and northern Mexico.
- 3
  Check sunny locations with lots of weeds and flowers. In urban areas, you may find them in vacant lots or gardens. In the country, look in old fields, pastures and marshes.
- 4
  Find an open hilltop in the area. Male black swallowtails enjoy "hilltopping," a butterfly's version of "King of the Hill." They dash around the top of hills trying to attract mates. Males often compete for the best location on the hill.
- 5
  
  Find red clover flowers and you will likely find black swallowtails.
  
  Look for nectar plants, which serve as food for the butterflies. Black swallowtail butterflies prefer tall plants with long-tubed flowers, including butterfly bush, butterfly milkweed, common milkweed, red clover and thistle.
- 6
  
  This black swallowtail caterpillar is nibbling on a host plant.
  
  Search areas with caterpillar host plants. Butterflies are attracted to these plants because they lay eggs there. Caterpillar host plants include dill, fennel, parsley, rue, water hemlock, mock bishop's weed, Queen Anne's lace, carrot, celery, pipevines, Dutchman's-pipe and Virginia snakeroot. You might find round eggs that are yellow to cream on the leaves of these plants.
- 7
  Plant a garden with lots of dill, fennel and Queen Anne's lace. These plants are favored by the black swallowtail. You can also plant nectar plants such as milkweed and butterfly bush.

Insects & Science