Home / Swallowtail (Papilionidae) / California Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor hirsute)

California Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor hirsute)

Being the pipevine swallow tail’s subspecies, this species is indigenous to the North California region of the United States of America.

Scientific Classification

Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Battus
Common names: Hairy Pipevine Swallowtail
Scientific Name: Battus philenor hirsute

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

They are black in color with a fleshy lump on their body along with red spots all over its body.

Pupa

The pupa may be brown or green in color, with the sides having a winged appearance mostly like that of the Pipevine swallowtail butterfly.

Adult Butterfly

Sex Dimorphism: Not Present

Color and Appearance: When the wings are opened an iridescent greenish-blue hue with red spots are seen. When the wings are closed they are mostly black with asymmetrical orange and white spots.

These butterflies have a smaller size with a more hairy body in comparison to the pipevine swallowtail, their main species.

Average Wingspan: 70mm to 130 mm (2.75-5.11 inch)

Flight Pattern: Fast

Eggs

The eggs are laid in large sized clutches in comparison to their species.

Quick Facts
Distribution	Throughout Northern California from the Sacramento valley to Contra Costa as well as Alameda counties
Habitat	Warm, temperate regions, mostly in forest areas near the California pipevine plant
Lifespan of Adults	About 7 to 14 days
Host plants	California pipevine
Adult diet	Floral nectar from several plants

Did You Know

Tim Wong an aquatic biologist at the California Academy of Sciences constructed a home for butterflies in the backyard of his dwelling place where the California Pipevine Swallowtail was found alongside other species.
Their numbers had declined drastically and revival to some extent was made in 2017.
The California pipevine plant from which they derive their name contains aristolochic acid, a toxic substance, which is why the juvenile, as well as adult species, have toxin content in their tissues.