Species Page: Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)

Pipevine Swallowtail

Battus philenor (Linnaeus, 1771)

Family: Papilionidae

Status: Breeding stray

NENHP Ranking: Not listed

Range: This is an overwintering resident in southeastern and southwestern United States, with strays ranging north to New York, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Utah. In Nebraska this species has been recorded from the southern half of the state.

Larval Hostplant(s): Pipe Vines – (Aristolochia species). These plants do not normally survive winters this far north on a consistent basis, but with care some are nurtured as ornamentals.

Broods/Flight Times: Found in Nebraska from mid-May to early October.

Overwintering: As pupae, although they cannot survive Nebraska winters.

Habitat: As a stray they may occur anywhere.

Avg. Wingspan: 2 3/4 – 5 inches.

Found at:

Similar Species: Black Swallowtails and Red Spotted Purples

Notes: This butterfly is distasteful due to toxic chemicals in ingests as a larva.

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