Gardens with Wings

What Butterflies Can I Attract to My Garden?

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

large black and yellow swallowtail butterfly
Male Black Swallowtail with Yellow and Blue Patterns
Copyright: Fred Miller

(aka Eastern Black Swallowtail)
This remarkable butterfly is a strong flier that enjoys open areas and ‘hilltopping’. Hilltopping is popular among males in search of females; it allows a greater area to be covered in search of a mate. Males can also be very territorial, chasing other males off their hill.

Swallowtails, because they are larger butterflies, commonly feed on taller plants that have the longer-tubed flowers. They are wonderful guests to welcome, and are a pleasure to watch dashing through the garden.

See where the Black Swallowtail caterpillar build it’s chrysalis. 

Tips for seeing and raising Black Swallowtails.

Black Swallowtail Life Cycle

yellow round egg on fennel
Round Yellow Egg on Fennel
Copyright: Fred Miller
yellow round butterfly egg compared to a penny
Comparing Butterfly Egg to Penny
Copyright: Fred Miller
small black larve with white band
Caterpillar First Instar
Copyright: Fred Miller
black caterpillar with orange dots
Black Larva with Orange / Black Spikes and White Band Around Middle
Copyright: Fred Miller
green black swallowtail larva
Green and Black Caterpillar with Yellow Spots
Copyright: Fred Miller
large black larva with yellow spots
Black and Yellow Caterpillar
Copyright: Fred Miller
green black yellow caterpillar
Green Caterpillar and Orange Osmeterium
Copyright: Regina Cutter Edwards
Silk thread attached to green chrysalisanch
Green Chrysalis Hanging From Silk Thread
Copyright: Fred Miller
brown chrysalis hanging on wood
Wood Camouflages Brown Chrysalis
Copyright: Patty Bigner
black swallowtail laying eggs
Butterfly Laying Eggs on Fennel
Copyright: Fred Miller
large black blue orange butterfly drying wings
Recently Butterfly Emerged from Pupa and Drying Wings
Copyright: Fred Miller
black and orange butterfly
Black Butterfly Resting on Finger
Copyright: Fred Miller
black female butterfly with blue and white markings
Female Swallowtail Nectaring on Lantana
Copyright: Fred Miller
side view of a black butterfly
Male Resting on Branch
Copyright: Fred Miller
black butterfly with orange, white, and blue markings
Female Black Swallowtail
Copyright: Patty Bigner

Black Swallowtail Host and Nectar Plants

Host Plants for the Black Swallowtail: (What is this?)
Dill, Fennel, Parsley, Queen Anne's Lace, Rue
Nectar Plants for the Black Swallowtail: (What is this?)
Azalea, Butterfly Bush, Butterfly Milkweed, Showy Stonecrop, Stokes' Aster, Thistle, and more
Where to Buy Plants

Black Swallowtail Facts And Information

Butterfly Family: Swallowtails & Parnassians (Papilionidae)
Butterfly Subfamily: Swallowtail (Papilioninae)
Butterfly Wingspan: 3 1/4 in. to 4 1/4 in.
Butterfly Habitat: Open areas, hills, gardens

Black Swallowtail Flight Range Map

Note: Map represents approximate butterfly flight range.
black swallowtail flight map

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