Anise Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio zelicaon )
![yellow and swallowtail butterfly](https://www.gardenswithwings.com/wp-content/uploads/anise-swallowtail-yellow-black-blue.jpg)
Anise Swallowtail - Yellow and Black Wings with Blue Spots
Copyright: Donald Gudehus
The Anise Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with bright yellow and black coloring. But this butterfly gets its name from the fennel plant, also called wild anise. Wild Anise is a common food source for the caterpillars. The caterpillars are often confused in appearance with the Black Swallowtail’s caterpillars. Consider this butterfly when creating your own garden, and you may soon see the Anise Swallowtail’s gorgeous wings.
The butterfly can be distinguished from similar yellow swallowtails by its lack of a “tiger stripe” on the upper forewing and slightly smaller size.
Anise Swallowtail Photos, Facts, And Information
![green and blarge green, black, and yellow larva](https://www.gardenswithwings.com/wp-content/uploads/anise-swallowtail-caterpillar.jpg)
Green Butterfly Caterpillar with Black and Yellow Markings
Copyright: Donald Gudehus
![green bumpy pupa hanging from wood](https://www.gardenswithwings.com/wp-content/uploads/anise-swallowtail-chrysalis.jpg)
Green Chrysalis
Copyright: Donald Gudehus
![anise swallowtail, yellow, black, blue butterfly](https://www.gardenswithwings.com/wp-content/uploads/anise-swallowtail-yellow-black.jpg)
Yellow Wings with Blue and Black Markings
Copyright: Tammy Elizabeth Palmer
![yellow butterfly hanging from legs to dry wings](https://www.gardenswithwings.com/wp-content/uploads/anise-swallowtail-emerging.jpg)
Anise Swallowtail Drying its Wings
Copyright: Tammy Elizabeth Palmer
Anise Swallowtail Host and Nectar Plants
Host Plants for the Anise Swallowtail: (What is this?)
Nectar Plants for the Anise Swallowtail: (What is this?)
Anise Swallowtail Facts And Information
Butterfly Family: Swallowtails & Parnassians (Papilionidae)
Butterfly Subfamily: Swallowtail (Papilioninae)
Butterfly Wingspan: 2 3/4 in. to 3 1/2 in.
Butterfly Habitat: Road edges, foothills, hillsides, gardens
Anise Swallowtail Flight Range Map
Note: Map represents approximate butterfly flight range.
![](https://www.gardenswithwings.com/wp-content/uploads/answMap20.png)