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Giant Swallowtail

Common Name: Giant Swallowtail
Scientific Name: Papilio cresphontes
Wingspan: 10-14 cm
Location: From Central America to Mexico and southern parts of the USA

A distinctive black and yellow-colored swallowtail, this is one of the largest species to be found in North America. The dorsal wing surfaces of the butterfly are black with a striking diagonal yellow bar across the forewings The ventral wing surfaces are primarily yellow. Adult butterflies sip nectar from many flowers and are common, but spectacular, visitors to butterfly gardens. Adult males patrol flyways through pine woods or citrus groves searching for females. Flight is very strong and leisurely, and the butterflies may glide long distances between wing beats. They prefer to fly in temperate forests and lowlands.