Home / Swallowtail (Papilionidae) / Zebra Swallowtail (Protographium marcellus)

Zebra Swallowtail (Protographium marcellus)

The Zebra Swallowtail is a species of brightly-colored butterflies that got their name from their zebra-like looks, with alternating patterns of black and white markings on their four wings. These arthropods are native to parts of the United States and Canada.

Scientific Classification

Family: Papilionida
Genus: Protographium
Scientific Name: Protographium marcellus

Description and Identification

Caterpillar

The caterpillars of this species are green or black with thick and light transverse stripes all over the body. The primary larval host plant is the pawpaw, and hence, they are mostly found in these trees.

Pupa

The chrysalis can be either brown or green with three small horn-like projections coming out from the head and thorax.

Adult Butterfly

Sexual Dimorphism: Both the sexes of the species look alike.

Color and Appearance: The wings are somewhat triangular in shape with two sword-like protrusions at the end of the hind wings. When the wings are open, they show a white to greenish white base with random black stripes and bands running vertically. The hind wings consist of a pair of two blue spots in the corner of the inner margin, as well as one red spot close to the end of the abdomen. When the wings are closed, each of the ventral sides displays a thin red stripe that runs through the middle part of the hind wing.

The Zebra Swallowtails take two different forms – once during summer, when they look larger with broad black stripes on all the wings, and once during spring when they appear relatively smaller but much brighter and whiter.

Average wingspan: 2.5 – 4 inches (6.4 – 10.4 cm)

Flight pattern: Medium to slow; males fly faster during mating season

Eggs

Like most other species, the females lay their eggs underneath plant leaves. The eggs of these butterflies initially are dull green that turn brownish orange as they mature.

Quick Facts
Distribution/Range	Eastern parts of the United States and southeast of Canada
Habitat	Moist, low woodlands close to rivers and swamps, also in open fields or brushy areas
Lifespan of adults	After emergence from pupal stage may live up to six months in their natural habitat
Host plants	Suck nectar from flowers belonging mostly to the following families: brassicaceae, fabaceae, polemoniaceae, lythraceae, rosaceae, and apocynaceae
Adult diet/food	Moisture from sand, flower nectar

Did You Know?

The male of the species are known to participate in ‘puddling’, an act when they would flock together on the moist sand, soil, or gravel to obtain moisture, amino acids, and salts.