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Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly
Zebra Swallowtail Coloration and Size
The Zebra Swallowtail (Protographium marcellus) is a beautiful butterfly welcomed in any landscape or garden. Its distinctive wing shape and long tails make it easy to identify, and its black and white-striped pattern is reminiscent of a zebra.
Its wingspan is in the Size: 2.5" - 4.0" range.
Distribution and Habitat
It ranges throughout the eastern United States, but is found more often in the southern states.
It prefers to stay in moist wood habitats that support the pawpaw, and is not often found on cleared lands.
Nectar and Host Plants Used by the Zebra Swallowtail
Host plants used by the Zebra Swallowtail include ommon Pawpaw and Dwarf Pawpaw.
favorite nectar plants are Milkweed, Cosmos, Sweet William, and Zinnia.
Zebra Swallowtail Life Cycle Stages and Durations
| 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 |
Photos of Zebra Swallowtail Butterflies
Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly |
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Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly
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Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly in Fayetteville, Alabama |
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Photo by and courtesy of Joe Wombough, March 23, 2019) |