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Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly

The Two-Tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata) is a beautiful large butterfly, yellow with black stripes. It has two tails on each hind wing; the outer one is longer.

It ranges throughout the western United States and Mexico, occupying semi-arid areas.

Size: 3 3/8" - 5 1/8"
Host plants: Cherry, Poplar, Ash, Willow, Hoptree, Chokeberry

Two-tailed Swallowtail Life Cycle: Stages and Times

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

 

Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly (dorsal view)
Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly

Two-Tailed Swallowtails Butterflies in Utah
Two-Tailed Swallowtails Butterflies in Utah

Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly
Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly

Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly (ventral view)
Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly

Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly
Two-Tailed Swallowtail Butterfly