Papilionidae : Papilioninae
Papilio polyxenes Fabricius, 1775
Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes Fabricius, 1775
Black Swallowtail
Description and Similar Species: Wingspan 86-110mm. Sexes similar but females have reduced yellow spots on both upperwings. Care needs to be taken to separate from Poey's Swallowtail H. caiguanabus but this has just a single row of yellow spots across the forewing. Oviedo's Swallowtail Heraclides oviedo looks much yellower in flight and Polydamas Swallowtail Battus polydamas has just one row of spots across the wings not two.
Range: Found throughout North America south to El Salvador, and also on Cuba where the subspecies polyxenes is endemic.
Status: It is rare on Cuba with few recent reports most of which come from around Habana where not many visiting lepidopterists spend any time which may be the reason for the paucity of records.
Nectar Plants: Unknown on Cuba.
Larval Foodplants: Larvae feed on some garden crops and herbs such as parsnips, carrots and parsley (Apiaceae or Umbelliferae) and can be a pest.
Range: Found throughout North America south to El Salvador, and also on Cuba where the subspecies polyxenes is endemic.
Status: It is rare on Cuba with few recent reports most of which come from around Habana where not many visiting lepidopterists spend any time which may be the reason for the paucity of records.
Nectar Plants: Unknown on Cuba.
Larval Foodplants: Larvae feed on some garden crops and herbs such as parsnips, carrots and parsley (Apiaceae or Umbelliferae) and can be a pest.
Foodplants and Habitat
