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| Giant Swallowtail |
Latin
Name: Papilio cresphontes |
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Genus: Papilio Species: cresphontes |
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Comments: |
| Living up to its name, the Giant Swallowtail is one of the largest butterflies in Florida. The impressive adults are strong fliers but readily stop at colorful flowering plants to feed and are regular garden visitors. When nectaring, adults continuously flutter their wings much like a hummingbird. This behavior coupled with a long proboscis enables them to visit a wide range of flowers, including many that otherwise might not easily support their weight. Giant Swallowtail larvae, often called "orange dogs" because of their fondness for citrus, occasionally become minor pests in commercial orange groves. |
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Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations, late February to November northward and year-round in southern portions |
Egg: |
amber-brown, laid singly on upperside of host leaves |
Larva: |
brown with yellow and cream patches; resembles bird dropping |
Host Plants: |
Hercules Club, Wild Lime, Wafer Ash and various cultivated citrus species |
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Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
Hercules Club, Wild Lime, Wafer Ash and various cultivated citrus species |
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Habitat: |
Habitat: |
woodlands, pastures, forest edges, orange groves, suburban gardens |
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Wingspan: |
Inches: |
4.5 - 5.5 |
Centimeters: |
11.4 - 14 |
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Appearance: |
Sexes: |
similar, although females generally much larger |
Compare: |
Schaus' Swallowtail is smaller and lacks yellow spot in center of hindwing tail. |
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| Markings: |
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Above:
- chocolate brown with broad bands of yellow spots; characteristic diagonal band extends from tip of forewing to base of abdomen; hindwing tail has yellow center
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Below:
- cream yellow with brown markings and blue median hindwing band
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Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
