Insect Order (Lepidoptera)
LEPIDOPTERA
Order Lepidoptera encompasses both Butterflies and Moths with around 12,000 species found across North America. Interestingly, Moths make up the greater number of the two with fewer than 1,000 being Butterfly species. The Butterfly-like 'Skipper' is also part of the group but noted for their shorter, stockier bodies. Butterflies and Moths are a very common sight throughout the state of Tennessee throughout the summer months, Butterflies found during the day and Moths more likely to be encountered during the evening / night time hours.
Taxonomy
Other Names: "Parsley Swallowtail Butterfly"
The Taxonomic Breakdown is the scientific way to categorize a partocular insect species from its largest group (Animalia) to its smallest (variable). The Genus and Species categorizations taken together make up the species' scientific name shown above, in this case Papilio polyxenes.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae
Genus: Papilio
Species: polyxenes
Characteristics
Antenna: Antenna are noticeably apparent on this insect.
Helpful: Known for its generally helpful-to-human qualities.
Outdoors: Typically found across the great outdoors.
Spotted Pattern: Noted for spots or spotted pattern.
Winged: Has wings to hop or fly over distance.
Description
The Black Swallowtail Butterfly is also known by these other names:
Parsley Swallowtail Butterfly
The Black Swallowtail Butterfly has been identified by site users by the following descriptors:
large outdoors garden helpful flying winged wings agile black range blue white red yellow antenna spotted spots
Sighting Guide
The general likelihood of encountering this insect based on a given month of the year in the state of Tennessee. Generally, the best sighting months are June through August with peak occurring in July.
Size
Below is a representation of the 'smallest-small' and 'largest-large' sizes commonly associated with the Black Swallowtail Butterfly. Due to monitor differences, sizes may not be exact on your particular screen. Conversions to millimeters are provided for convenience.
Lowest-Low:
2.64 inches
(67 mm)
Highest-High:
3.50 inches
(89 mm)
Identifying Colors
Below you will find the colors most commonly associated with the Black Swallowtail Butterfly. Both Primary and Secondary colors are represented in the showcase. Due to monitor differences, colors may not be exact representations.
Tennessee County Reach
The Black Swallowtail Butterfly can be found in the following Tennessee counties:
Anderson; Bedford; Benton; Bledsoe; Blount; Bradley; Campbell; Cannon; Carroll; Carter; Cheatham; Chester; Claiborne; Clay; Cocke; Coffee; Crockett; Cumberland; Davidson; De Kalb; Decatur; Dickson; Dyer; Fayette; Fentress; Franklin; Gibson; Giles; Grainger; Greene; Grundy; Hamblen; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardeman; Hardin; Hawkins; Haywood; Henderson; Henry; Hickman; Houston; Humphreys; Jackson; Jefferson; Johnson; Knox; Lake; Lauderdale; Lawrence; Lewis; Lincoln; Loudon; Macon; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Maury; McMinn; McNairy; Meigs; Monroe; Montgomery; Moore; Morgan; Obion; Overton; Perry; Pickett; Polk; Putnam; Rhea; Roane; Robertson; Rutherford; Scott; Sequatchie; Sevier; Shelby; Smith; Stewart; Sullivan; Sumner; Tipton; Trousdale; Unicoi; Union; Van Buren; Warren; Washington; Wayne; Weakley; White; Williamson; Wilson
Black Swallowtail Butterfly Picture (1)
1 of 1
Image of an adult Male Black Swallowtail Butterfly flying insect at rest.; Credit: Caroline V. of Long Branch, New Jersey.
This image is original to
www.InsectIdentification.org; Used with Permission.
