Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
A dark native butterfly whose caterpillars feed on parsley, dill, fennel, and Florida's native carrot-family plants.
Black Swallowtails visit Florida gardens, fields, roadsides, and open neighborhoods. Adults show rows of yellow spots, blue scaling, orange-red eyespots, and narrow tails on the hindwings.
Females place eggs on plants in the carrot family. Gardeners often find striped caterpillars on parsley, dill, fennel, and rue, where modest leaf loss supports the next generation of butterflies.
Habitat:
Grasslands and Agricultural Areas, Urban and Residential Areas
Area / Range:
Statewide
Diet:
Adults drink nectar from lantana, milkweed, thistles, zinnias, and other flowers. Caterpillars eat carrot-family plants such as parsley, dill, fennel, and native water cowbane.
Behavior:
Adults fly through sunny open areas and pause at nectar flowers. Caterpillars rest openly on host plants and extend a forked orange scent organ when threatened.
Daytime
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Warm sunny days from spring through fall in gardens with nectar flowers and carrot-family host plants.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Least Concern and widespread; pesticide exposure and loss of flowering habitat reduce local numbers.
Safety Level:
Low
Safety Information:
Harmless to people and pets. Avoid insecticides on host and nectar plants, and wash garden produce after allowing caterpillars to finish feeding.
Benefits to Property:
Pollinates flowers and adds visible biodiversity to home gardens. Caterpillars support birds and other insect-eating wildlife.
Property Concerns:
Caterpillars chew parsley, dill, fennel, and related plants. Plant extra host plants or move caterpillars carefully within the same garden.
Fun Fact:
- The caterpillar's orange defensive organ is called an osmeterium.
- Females resemble toxic Pipevine Swallowtails.
- Pupae can be green or brown.
Wildlife Laws:
No special federal or Florida listed-species status applies. Collection is restricted in parks and preserves, and pesticide use must follow the label.
Identification:
Large black butterfly with two rows of pale yellow spots, blue scaling on the hindwings, orange-red eyespots, and a short tail on each hindwing. Females usually show more blue and less yellow than males.