Identification: Upper
surface of hindwings iridescent blue or blue-green. Underside of
hindwing with submarginal row of 7 round orange spots in iridescent
blue field. Life history: Adult males patrol likely habitat
in search of receptive females. Females lay batches of eggs on
underside of host plant leaves. Caterpillars feed in small groups
when young but become solitary when older. Chrysalis overwinters.
Caterpillar host plants: Pipevine (Aristolochia species),
including Aristolochia californica, A. serpentaria and others.
Pipevines confer a poisonous quality to the larvae and resulting
adults, much as the monarch butterfly obtains protection by feeding
on milkweed. Adults seek nectar from flowers including thistles
(Cirsium species), bergamot, lilac, viper's bugloss, common azaleas,
phlox, teasel, azaleas, dame's-rocket, lantana, petunias, verbenas,
lupines, yellow star thistle, buckeye, and butterfly bush.
Pipevine Swallowtail on Wikipedia |
