Few insects are as eye-catching as the swallowtail butterfly . Known for their vibrant colors and uniquely shaped hind wings, swallowtails belong to the family Papilionidae and are found worldwide except in the Arctic regions.

These butterflies aren't just beautiful; they're essential to the ecology of forests, fields, and gardens.

Meet the Swallowtail Family

With hundreds of swallowtail species worldwide, some of the most well-known include the:

Eastern tiger swallowtail ( Papilio glaucus )

Black swallowtail ( Papilio polyxenes )

Spicebush swallowtail ( Papilio troilus )

Pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor)

Each has its own range of color pattern, preferred habitat, and host plants for its caterpillars.

Swallowtails often use Batesian mimicry, with nontoxic species li

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