The Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) is black with a single row of pale spots near wing edges. This beautiful butterfly is sometimes called the "Blue Swallowtail". The male has iridescent blue hind wings, and the female a lighter blue coloring.
Birds find the caterpillar and butterfly to be distasteful, as the Pipevine plant that it eats contains an acid toxic to some animals.
Other butterflies mimic the Pipevine Swallowtail, such as the Black Swallowtail, Spicebush Swallowtail and Red-Spotted Purple, and derive some protection from predators by duplicating the Pipevine's coloration.
Its size is in the 2.75" - 4.0" range.
It is seen in the southern United States, from the Gulf Coast north to near Chicago, and from the Atlantic seaboard west to Arizona. The butterfly is common in open habitats and gardens, and produces 2-4 broods per year.
The Pipevine Swallotail uses Pipevine (Dutchman's Pipe) as its host plant.
Nectar plants frequented by the Pipevine Swallowtail include Butterfly Bush, Swamp Milkweed, Mexican Sunflower, and Phlox. It prefers nectar plants in the pink, purple and orange color range
Stage | Typical Duration |
Egg stage | Generally 4 to 10 days, depending on temperature and host plant |
Caterpillar (larval) stage | 3 to 4 weeks |
Chrysalis (pupal) stage | 10 to 20 days (except for overwintering pupae) |
Adult butterfly stage | 6 to 14 days |
Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly in East Texas |
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Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly on Zinnias |
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Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly (dorsal view) |
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Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly |
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Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly |
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Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly (ventral view) |
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Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly exhibiting its beautiful bluish body |
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Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly (lower left) and Pipevine Swallowtail (upper right)
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