Young caterpillars are black with light transverse stripes on their body. The eggs are pale green in the initial stage turning orange-brown as they mature. Picture 3 – Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly Picture Life Cycle The first brood of each reproductive season is the largest in number. This species produces two broods (young produced during one hatching) in the northern regions of their habitat while they have three to four broods in the south. They lay the eggs singly on the leaves or trunks of pawpaw due to the cannibalistic nature of their larvae. After mating the female butterflies find suitable larval host plants to lay eggs. The male Zebra Swallowtail Butterflies look for mate during warm days near pawpaw plants. They can be seen in their southern distribution areas between February and December. These swallowtail butterflies are found in the northern regions of their distribution range between late March and August. Due to this reason they prefer flat small flowers. Unlike many other species swallowtails, this species have shorter proboscis.This gland gives off an unpleasant odor helping them to avoid predators. The larvae of this species have an orange y-shaped gland on their neck called osmeterium.The bold black stripes of these butterflies, along with their low erratic flight make it hard for predators to follow and capture them.Their adaptive features help them to survive in their natural habitat: Invertebrates like spiders, ants and different types of wasps feed on this butterfly species. These male butterflies are known to participate in “puddling” which means individual butterflies gathering together on moist soil, gravel and sand to obtain amino acids and salts.During mating seasons, the male butterflies of this species fly swiftly near host plants searching for females.The female Zebra Swallowtail Butterflies fly slowly when looking for appropriate host plants.These butterflies visit various flowers from different families including brassicaceae, lythraceae, apocynaceae, fabaceae, polemoniaceae and rosaceae.This species flies between 2 feet and 6 feet (0.5 and 1.8 meters) above the ground.They have some interesting behavior patterns: Picture 2 – Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly Caterpillar Behavior Some caterpillars even feed on other caterpillars living in the same plants. They also eat the long leaves of their host pawpaw plants. ![]() The caterpillars feed on eggshells after hatching. Male Zebra Swallowtail Butterflies obtain various nutrients through the practice of puddling that help them in reproduction. They feed on different flowers including lilac, blackberry, verbena and redbud. ![]() Digesting these pollens helps them to absorb protein which gives them extra nutrition and energy for reproduction. Sometimes they use their proboscis to collect pollen from various flowers. Like other butterfly species these adult butterflies do not have jaw. DietĪdult butterflies of this species sip flower nectar using their proboscis (a straw-like organ). These swallowtail butterflies prefer intact woodland habitats much more than developed areas. They inhabit southern pine woodlands, deciduous woodlands, savannas and prairies where these trees grow. They do not usually wander far from their host plants. Various species of pawpaw shrubs are the host plants for the Zebra Swallowtail Butterflies. Their distribution range extends from the southern parts of Ontario and Michigan along the coast of Atlantic to the Gulf States and Florida. ![]() These butterflies are native to the eastern regions of US and southeastern Canada. During summer, the tails appear much longer and graceful with wide white borders. The black tails are short and tipped with white during spring. Tail: These butterflies have a pair of sword like tails extending from their hind wings.
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