Pipevine Swallowtail

The Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) is a swallowtail butterfly found in North and Central America. The butterflies are black with iridescent blue hind wings. They are found in many different habitats, but are most commonly found in forests. The black or red caterpillars feed on Aristolochia species, making them poisonous as both larvae and adults, while the adults feed on the nectar of a variety of flowers.

The Pipevine Swallowtail ranges from across USA to Mexico, Islas Marías and onto Guatemala and Costa Rica. It rarely strays into southern Ontario.In the United States, the butterfly is found in New England down to Florida west to Nebraska, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Oregon. Habitats for B. philenor vary greatly, including deciduous woodlands, forests, tropical forests, deserts, open fields, meadows, gardens, and orchards.

The upper surface the hind wings of Pipevine Swallowtail are an iridescent blue or blue-green with pale, arrow-head markings. Males have brighter metallic regions than females. The underside of the hind wing has seven orange submarginal spots surrounded by iridescent blue.Both surfaces of the fore wings are black or dull blackish-brown.Individuals are smaller and hairier in northern California.

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