Papilio brevicauda

Saunders, 1869

Short-tailed Swallowtail

Papilio brevicauda, the short-tailed swallowtail, is a North American in the Papilionidae. It is closely related to the black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) but distinguished by its shorter hindwing tails and rounder forewing tips. The is strongly associated with coastal , particularly headlands where its larval plants grow. It has a single primary per year, with occasional partial second broods.

Annual report of the Fruit Growers' Association of Ontario, 1894 (1895) (19338184006) by Internet Archive Book Images. Used under a No restrictions license.

Short-tailed Swallowtail, Elliston by D. Gordon E. Robertson. Used under a CC BY-SA 3.0 license.

Short-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio brevicauda) - Cape St. Mary's Ecological Reserve, Newfoundland 2019-08-10 by Ryan Hodnett. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Papilio brevicauda: /pəˈpɪlioʊ ˌbrɛvɪˈkɔːdə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from male black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) by shorter hindwing tails and rounder forewing tips. Yellow spot bands on upperside often appear more orange than in P. polyxenes, especially in eastern . Range and association (coastal, near ocean) provide additional separation from similar .

Images

Appearance

Wingspan and overall size similar to black swallowtail. Hindwing tails noticeably shorter than those of P. polyxenes. Forewing tip rounder, less angular. Upperside yellow band of spots often more orange-tinged, particularly in eastern ; western populations show less orange coloration. not detailed in sources.

Habitat

Coastal environments, particularly ocean-facing headlands. Strongly associated with areas where larval plants grow, including rocky coastal bluffs and shorelines. Tolerates windy conditions due to strong capability. Often found in immediate proximity to the ocean.

Distribution

North America. Range details not fully specified in sources but implied to be coastal, likely northeastern North America based on plant associations and comparison to related .

Seasonality

on wing from mid-June to July. One primary per year, with occasional partial second broods in some years or regions.

Diet

Larvae feed on plants in the Apiaceae. Documented plants include: Scotch lovage (Ligusticum scoticum), angelica (Angelica atropurpurea, A. lucida), cow parsnip (Heracleum lanatum), Chinese hemlock-parsley (Conioselinum chinense), celery (Apium graveolens), Anne's lace (Daucus carota subsp. sativus), parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), and parsley (Petroselinum crispum). visit flowers for nectar; specific nectar sources not documented in sources.

Host Associations

Ligusticum scoticum - larval Scotch lovage; primary breeding
Angelica atropurpurea - larval
Angelica lucida - larval Seacoast angelica
Heracleum lanatum - larval Cow parsnip
Conioselinum chinense - larval Chinese hemlock-parsley
Apium graveolens - larval Celery
Daucus carota subsp. sativus - larval Anne's lace
Pastinaca sativa - larval Parsnip
Petroselinum crispum - larval Parsley

Life Cycle

Males seek females by —awaiting females on elevated terrain. Females deposit singly on plant leaves. Eggs cream-colored, developing a reddish-brown ring. Larvae pale green to creamish-green with black bands between segments and yellow spots on black bands (orange spots in Cape Breton Island ). Chrysalis green or black-brown, hibernates through winter. One per year, sometimes with partial second brood.

Behavior

Strong flier, capable of navigating windy coastal conditions. Males engage in to locate mates. active during mid-day in summer months.

Ecological Role

as . Larval herbivore on Apiaceae. Part of coastal as prey for birds and other .

Human Relevance

Subject of conservation interest due to specialized coastal requirements and dependence on specific plant . Potential for coastal health.

Similar Taxa

Papilio polyxenesBlack swallowtail; very similar appearance but has longer hindwing tails, more angular forewing tips, and less orange-tinged yellow bands. Occupies broader range of including inland areas.

More Details

Regional color variation

Eastern show more orange-tinged yellow bands on upperside wings; western populations within range show less orange coloration. Larval spot color varies geographically (yellow vs. orange in Cape Breton Island).

Hilltopping behavior

Males use topographic features to intercept patrolling females, a common mating strategy in Papilionidae but specifically documented for this .