
Black swallowtail
Black wings with yellow spots
Illustration · not shown at life sizeButterflies / Insect
Papilio glaucus
Yellow wings, black stripes, and little tails make this butterfly stand out near the trees.
Let’s look closerLittle clues
Yellow wings with black stripes.
Tails on the hindwings.
Caterpillars eat tree leaves.
Out in the world
Gardens near woodland.
Often May and June, then another generation in August.
Look closely. Leave your tiny neighbor where you found it.
A closer look
Some females have dark wings instead of yellow ones. Another tiger swallowtail looks very similar, so stripes alone are not enough.
A special find can be hard to spot without being biologically rare. Encounters depend on season and habitat.
For curious grownups, too
Original summaries, with references for deeper reading. Field notes are being checked against the supplied research.
Make a bug slide
Front artwork is made for a 3-inch clear disc. Revised artwork still needs a physical check. Reverse QR files use the confirmed permanent website.
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