Insect · GBIF taxon 1937846
Giant Swallowtail
Papilio cresphontesAlso known as Eastern Giant Swallowtail, Orange Dog, Orange Puppy
Boasting a massive wingspan that can exceed six inches, these magnificent butterflies command attention with their deep black wings bisected by a striking diagonal band of yellow spots. They glide through sunny glades and gardens with a characteristic strong, hopping flight pattern, searching for nectar-rich flowers. Their caterpillars employ a dual defense system, mimicking bird droppings to escape notice and deploying a smelly, fork-shaped organ called an osmeterium when threatened.
DiurnalPollinatorLarge
Licensed referenceD. Gordon E. Robertson / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
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—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Citrus leaves
- Wild lime leaves
- Flower nectar
Predators
- Birds
- Wasps
- Spiders
ThreatsPesticide use in citrus groves, habitat loss, extreme weather events
HabitatsDeciduous forests, citrus orchards, suburban gardens, pine flatwoods
Life span6 to 14 days as an adult
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPapilionidae
- SpeciesPapilio cresphontes
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Plant Host Plants: Grow citrus, rue, or hop tree to attract egg-laying females to your garden.
- Watch for Mud-Puddling: Look for males gathering near damp soil or puddles to sip essential minerals.
- Observe the Caterpillars: Gently inspect citrus leaves for young larvae, which mimic bird droppings for safety.
Host Plant Close Relative 
Close Relative "black swallowtail caterpillar" by animantis is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/. · cc-by
Close Relative "Eastern Tiger Swallowtail" by ShenandoahNPS is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0. To view the terms, visit https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/. · cc0
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