Two-tailed Swallowtail
(Pterourus multicaudatus – formerly Papilio multicaudatus)
Swallowtails
Appearance: Large yellow swallowtail with narrower black stripes on forewing than on Western Tiger Swallowtail. Two tails on hindwing, although the second one is less prominent. Male and female similar although female has more blue and orange on the hindwing.
Wingspan: Large; 3 1/2 to 5 inches.
Habitat: Foothills slopes and canyons, urban parks and gardens, valleys, streamsides, and woodlands; plains, foothills, montane.
Flight Times: April to August; one brood. Overwinters as chrysalis.
Larval Foodplant: Leaves of ash and chokecherry.
Did You Know…
This butterfly is our largest swallowtail and is often seen in high floating flight along mountain streamsides in search of a mate. Males puddle where their two tails are more likely to be seen. May also be seen where green ash shade trees line urban streets.
