The Pipevine Swallowtail is a species of iridescent blue butterflies found in several parts of the Americas. The Pipevine swallowtail spans from southern Connecticut to Central Florida, west to Arizona and south into Mexico. Larval host for the pipevine swallowtail and polydamas swallowtail butterflies. Each hindwing has a row of seven orange spots that can be seen on the underside. Facts And Information Family: Swallowtails & Parnassians (Papilionidae) Pipevine is a Host Plant for the Pipevine Swallowtail Pipevine Swallowtails (Battus philenor) use Pipevine as a host plant. Also in females, the hind wings are darker as compared to males. Once a male has located a female, he will quickly land and attemp to mate. They also have been found in Southwestern Ontario, out of their native range, likely because their host plants, specifically Aristolochia macrophylla , are planted as ornamentals. USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures. Several species such as Spicebush Swallowtail, female Black Swallowtail and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (black form) mimic the Pipevine. Comments. Range wingspan 7 to 13 cm 2.76 to 5.12 in; Reproduction. They are mostly seen during the spring and the summer months in sunlit meadows and fields. NABA would like to increase both the numbers and range of Pipevine Swallowtail. Its wings and body are black. Pipevine swallowtail males spend most of their time looking to breed with females. There is an isolated population in California. The topic of this entry is the Pipevine Swallowtail, Battus philenor. USDA Zones. Suitable to grow in: 8A 8B . Native Habitats: Stream banks, flood plains, bottomland ... Distribution and Planting Zones. See more photos below to help you identify the stages of the Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly life cycle. It is distasteful or toxic to many predators thanks to the aristolochic acids in the caterpillar’s host plants, which include all species in the Aristolochia genus that are native to the butterfly’s range (much of the eastern and central U.S. with an isolated population in California). Wingspan of Pipevine Swallowtail: One can segregate the males and females by the abaxial hind wings.In fact the females bear bigger spots along the wings. In the southwestern part of its range, there are other native Pipevine species that this butterfly uses as its caterpillar food plants. We call it the Pipe-dream Project. Females lay clusters of eggs on or under … We believe that just as placing nesting boxes for bluebirds has led to a resurgence of that species, people can greatly help Pipevine Swallowtail by planting pipevines. In the mid-Atlantic, the only species that Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars can eat are Dutchman’s Pipevine and Virginia Snakeroot. Some species use the pipevine swallowtail as a template for mimicry. Caterpillars feed on noxious pipevines, and therefore adults are distasteful to birds. The hindwings are iridescent green-blue on the upper side and have a projection from the back edge. The butterfly Battus polydamas , whose range includes most of the south eastern US also uses some species of Aristolochia as a host plant. The underneath portion of the wings dotted with orange color. Pollinated by flies. Though most people are fully aware of the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), it’s usually the swallowtail butterflies (Papilionidae) that impress the most, not only for their large size but for their spectacular colors. FEATURES The pipevine swallowtail has a wingspan of two and three-fourths to five and one-eighth inches. Color of Pipevine Swallowtail: The color of these species ranges from black to bluish. Natural Range in Florida.