Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)

Order: Lepidoptera (le-pid-OP-ter-a) (Info) Family: Papilionidae (pap-ill-lee-ON-ih-dee) (Info) Genus: Papilio (pap-ILL-ee-oh) (Info) Species: cresphontes Profile: 4 positives 7 neutrals No negatives Regional... This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions: Scottsdale, Arizona Tucson, Arizona Camarillo, California Winsted, Connecticut Bartow, Florida Boca Raton, Florida Brooksville, Florida Hollywood, Florida Largo, Florida Lutz, Florida Miami, Florida Niceville, Florida Orange Park, Florida Palm Coast, Florida Sebastian, Florida Tallahassee, Florida Venice, Florida Wauchula, Florida Hahira, Georgia La Grange Park, Illinois Coatesville, Indiana Cedar Rapids, Iowa Inwood, Iowa Kenner, Louisiana La Place, Louisiana Lake Charles, Louisiana Ocean Springs, Mississippi Vicksburg, Mississippi Himrod, New York Claremore, Oklahoma Kellyville, Oklahoma Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania Arlington, Texas Boerne, Texas Bryan, Texas Cibolo, Texas Fort Worth, Texas (2 reports) Garland, Texas Houston, Texas (2 reports) Keller, Texas Los Fresnos, Texas New Caney, Texas Rockwall, Texas San Antonio, Texas (2 reports) Spring, Texas (2 reports) Member Notes: Rating Author Comment Neutral okus On Jul 24, 2006, okus from New York(UK!)Lincolnshire (United Kingdom) (Zone 8b) wrote: Known as Orange Dog by citrus growers it is sometimes considered a citrus pest. Adults take nectar from Lantana Orange Blossom and other flowers. More common in the South and South Central states than further north. Positive GD_Rankin On Sep 6, 2006, GD_Rankin from San Antonio, TX (Zone 9a) wrote: According to what I've read, this is the largest butterfly in the United States and Canada. I've only seen a few of these beauties out here this summer and really enjoy watching them. They don't tend to stay in one spot long, so getting a quality photo is very challenging. Positive renatelynne On Sep 6, 2006, renatelynne from Boerne, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: Beautiful to see. I usually se it on my butterfly bush in the middle of a hot day. Neutral Magpye On Apr 18, 2007, Magpye from NW Qtr, AR (Zone 6a) wrote: The Giant Swallowtail .. relies solely on plants that are of/in the citrus family for larval (caterpillar) food. The caterpillar, being called an 'orange dog' .. is approximately 2 inches/5.1 cm in length, and very much resembles the blotchy patterned white & brown bird dropping! The caterpillar will display an unusual pair of orange antler-like 'scent horns' (osmateria) .. that distribute an offensive odor, when disturbed!! Neutral sueatkins On May 5, 2007, sueatkins from Brooksville, FL wrote: Yes, the caterpillar of the giant swallowtail does rely on leaves of the citrus family. When I was raising them, the females actually preferred to lay eggs on the hercules club tree. I have never noticed any damage to citrus trees by the chomping of the orange dog caterpillar. The chrysalis weathers over winter. I have seem them still in place after hurrican winds of 75 mph. This swallowtail is absolutely glorious to observe as it emerges from the chrysalis, pumps up and dries its wings, and flies off. Neutral nick89 On May 22, 2007, nick89 from Tallahassee, FL (Zone 8b) wrote: One of the most common area swallowtails. A handful of their "orange dogs" were on a Sastuma sapling in the front yard, but have since left. They only seem to eat the new growth and leave old tough citrus leaves alone. Positive catbird8 On May 28, 2007, catbird8 from Houston, TX wrote: The Giant is easy to raise. It is the credited by many sources as the largest butterfly in N. America. Some give credit to the Tiger as occasionally reaching the same size. But they are rare. The Thoas comes closer due to its minimum average size of 4". The Giant's size is 3-3/8 - 5-1/2 ". They do lay eggs almost exclusively on citrus in southern climate areas but have other sources in the North. Neutral Plowdaddy On Jul 4, 2007, Plowdaddy from Roscoe, TX (Zone 7b) wrote: I thought Rue was also a host plant for this butterfly. Positive sbannister On Jul 25, 2007, sbannister from Kenner, LA wrote: I live in Kenner, LA, a suburb of New Orleans. I have raised them for the past two summers (2006 & 2007), I find the eggs on a small citrus tree (which has never borne fruit). In 2005, when I returned from evacuating from hurricane katrina, half of my roof was blown off, but an empty crysalis of a giant swallowtail was still attached to the tree by its tiny strands of silk. The tree was bent but after I propped it up, it thrived. Hurricane Rita passed soon after, and the crysalis was still attached. It was stronger than my roof and many other man-made structures! Not only is the giant a beautiful creature, but amazingly tough as well! Neutral karlpalm On Nov 30, 2007, karlpalm from Camarillo, CA wrote: As a child (40 years ago) I never saw giant swallowtails in Southern California, but several years ago they starting appearing here and I have been seeing 5 to 10 per year in Camarillo, Calif. They have clearly migrated and are now established here. Neutral ginger4az On Oct 13, 2008, ginger4az from Tucson, AZ wrote: The orange dog catepillar has eaten up my potted lemon tree! My son has helped me pick them off and is now raising them in his room. How long are they in their chrysalis form?

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