Papilio cresphontes PUPAE
Host plants: Citrus, Choisya, Skimmia, Ruta
Difficulty: Easy (2/10)
Temperature: Room temp.
Lifecycle: Multiple broods are possible in a season; pupae overwinter when temperatures cool but can be continually brooded in tropical regions
The Giant Swallowtail, Papilio cresphontes, is the largest butterfly in North America. Once considered to be distributed throughout North America, the Western population has since been reclassified as Papilio rumiko based on phenotypic and genetic differences. In some regions, their caterpillars are considered a pest in Citrus plantations - one of their favourite host plants! Females lay eggs singularly, usually on the underside of the leaf. Choisya and Garden Rue are both excellent host plants if you do not have access to Citrus. In temperate regions, there are two or three generations per season, with the final one overwintering as pupae. Caterpillars have fantastic camoflague, resembling bird droppings! These are fun and very easy to care for.