Eastern Black Swallowtail: Papilio polyxenes asterius (Stoll) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Donald Hall

Release Date: 11/17/2024

DOI: 10.32473/edis-in906-2011

Agriculture

Abstract

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. Published by Integrated Pest Management. This document provides an in-depth profile of the eastern black swallowtail butterfly, Papilio polyxenes asterius. It covers its distribution, physical description, life cycle, natural enemies, defenses, host plants, and economic importance. The butterfly is found throughout southern Canada, the eastern and mid-western United States, and northern Mexico. It is admired for its beauty but can occasionally be a pest. The document includes identification keys and discusses management strategies for controlling the butterfly in home gardens. Original publication date November 2011.

About this Publication

This document is EENY-504, one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date November 2011. Revised September 2014, February 2021, and June 2024. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication. This document is also available on the Featured Creatures website at https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures.

About the Authors

Donald Hall, professor emeritus, Department of Entomology and Nematology; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

How to Cite

Hall, D. W. (2017). Eastern Black Swallowtail: Papilio polyxenes asterius (Stoll) (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). EDIS, 2017(4). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-in906-2011