Zebra Swallowtail
(Eurytides marcellus)
Zebra Swallowtail sightings, by week (about)
Click to enlargePettigrew State Park, Tyrrell Co., NC. March 26, 2007.
Click to enlargePettigrew State Park, Tyrrell Co., NC. March 26, 2007.
Click to enlargePettigrew State Park, Tyrrell Co., NC. March 26, 2007.
Click to enlargeKissimmee Prairie Preserve, FL. March 25, 2005.
The Zebra Swallowtail is an uncommon stray in Wisconsin, and may be looked for in the southern counties. Its larval food is the Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) , which is not native to Wisconsin. Notice the difference in the fresh specimen taken by Tom Lewis in Arkansas and the rather worn specimen, missing part of a tail, that I took in Florida.
Identifying characteristics: Above: White with black stripes, triangular wings, and a long tail. The sexes are nearly alike. Below: Similar to the top but with a red stripe bordered by black on the hindwing.
Similar species: This species can be confused with none of our other butterflies.
Habitat: Open, brushy woodland areas where Pawpaw grows.
Flight: Two generations in northern Illinois: early May and then June/July. Ebner (1970) states that the best time to look for them in Wisconsin is June and early July.
Abundance: Rare. An unlikely stray in Wisconsin.
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Zebra Swallowtail
Eurytides marcellus