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Oregon Swallowtail (Papilio oregonius)

The Oregon swallowtail is a very colorful and spectacular butterfly, and is a subspecies of popular swallowtail butterfly native to the United States. They are seen flying between April and September, abd can reproduce twice a year, except during the winter months.

Scientific Classification

Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Papilio
Scientific Name: Papilio oregonius

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

The larva is of a medium size with black and yellow markings. However, they begin turning more and more whiter, as they grow older.

Pupa

The chrysalis is dull or blackish green in color with the lower part divided into segments, with a single string of silk balancing the entire body with the lower tip as a support, attached to the branch of its host plant.

Adult Butterfly

Sexual Dimorphism: Not present

Color and Appearance: When the wings are open, they display concave spots with a bright orange-red eyespot close to the lower border. There are beige yellow markings and patterns on a black base on all the four wings, along with a characteristic tail common to all swallowtail butterflies. When the wings are closed, the underside shows almost a similar pattern like the upper side, but is mostly ruled by the beige coloration in a relatively fainter version.

Average wingspan: 2.5 to 4 in (6.4 to 10 cm)

Flight pattern: Erratic flight pattern at a moderate speed

Eggs

Dull reddish white in color, and laid one at a time on the host plant leaf

Quick Facts
Distribution	Mainly in the US states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, but also in south-central British Columbia in Canada
Habitat	Can be found along the lower sagebrush canyons of the Columbia River and its other tributaries
Lifespan of adults	‎6 to 14 days
Host plants	Prefers dragon wormwood or wild tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus)
Adult diet	Flower nectar, mostly from thistles, purple sage, balsamroot, phlox, etc.