Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)

Local and fairly rare in NC, this species has been reported from scattered locations across the state. It is most often found along the immediate coast, especially on the barrier islands where its host plant, Toothache Tree (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) grows.

Female Giant Swallowtail ovipositing on Toothache Tree (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis)

New Hanover Co., NC
26 Aug 2006


Giant Swallowtail egg on Toothache Tree (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) New Hanover Co., NC 26 Aug 2006	Giant Swallowtail egg detail New Hanover Co., NC 26 Aug 2006

Giant Swallowtails are notoriously challenging to photograph with a point-and-shoot style camera because they stay in constant motion while nectaring, fluttering their forewings for balance rather than perching.

Of all NC swallowtails that look dark above, Giant Swallowtails are the only ones that are primarily yellow below and have a yellow body.

New Hanover Co., NC
27 Aug 2005


New Hanover Co., NC 27 Aug 2005	New Hanover Co., NC 27 Aug 2005


Hidalgo Co., TX 17 Oct 2004	Hidalgo Co., TX 17 Oct 2004

	The caterpillar reportedly mimics bird droppings to make it less apetizing. Cameron Co., TX 14 Oct 2004 (Works for me!)

Parker Backstrom photographs a fluttering Giant Swallowtail.

New Hanover Co., NC
27 Aug 2005

North Carolina Butterflies | North American Butterflies | Jeff's Nature Page

Created on ... June 2, 2005 | Updated on ... Aug 31, 2006 | jspippen@duke.edu