Papilio cresphontes

(Cramer, 1777)

Vernacular names
English : Giant swallowtail
French : Grand porte-queue

Classification
Class : Insecta
Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Papilionidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Wingspan up to 16 cm. Global coloration is black with a narrower yellow band on wings than its close relative P. thoas. Row of yellow spots on edge of wings. Yellow and black tail. Red spot (edged with blue) on hindwing.

Range and habitat
From extreme south-east Canada to California and Arizona, south to most of Central America, north Colombia, Venezuela. Also on Cuba and Jamaica. The species occurs mostly in deciduous forests and orchards.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species seems to be common in most of its range. Considered as a pest by farmers.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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