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zebra swallowtail

zebra swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) Photos © David W. Brewer

Features and Behaviors

FEATURES
The zebra swallowtail has a wingspan of about two and one-half to four inches. Its wings are pale green-white with black stripes. The projection from the rear edge of the hindwing, the “tail,” is fairly long. The larva is green with yellow and black bands.

BEHAVIORS
The zebra swallowtail may be found statewide in Illinois. The larva eats leaves of pawpaw trees and related plants. The adult flies close to the ground, flapping slowly. The adult feeds on flower nectar.

Illinois Range

Taxonomy

​Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Papilionidae

Illinois Status: common, native