The Skippers The Swallowtails The Whites and Sulphurs The Blues and Coppers The Gossamer-wings
Black Swallowtail - Papilio polyxenes
[Black Swallowtail image]
Black Swallowtail - Grand Pre, NS - 2000-05-27
Photo © Peter Payzant
Status in Nova Scotia
Locally common, sometimes abundant in suitable areas.

Flight Period
Two overlapping broods: first brood late May to late August; second brood mid-July to mid-September.

Habitat
Open areas such as damp meadows, gardens, marshland.

Larval Foodplants
Feeds on members of the family Umbelliferae, including cultivated plants such as Carrot, Parsley, Celery, Dill and many wild species such as Queen Anne's Lace.

Similar Species in Nova Scotia
The only similar species in our area is the Short-tailed Swallowtail, which has only been recorded a few times in the last fifty years.

Further Reading


Black Swallowtail - Jemseg, NB, 2010-07-17
Black Swallowtail - Jemseg, NB - 2010-07-17
2010-07-17
Photo © Jim Edsall
Black Swallowtail - Apple River, NS, 2012-09-22
Black Swallowtail - Apple River, NS - 2012-09-22
2012-09-22
Photo © Kathleen F. Spicer
Black Swallowtail - Miners Marsh, NS, 2013-07-26
Black Swallowtail - Miners Marsh, NS - 2013-07-26
2013-07-26
Photo © Richard Stern
Black Swallowtail - Grand Pre, 2012-07-27
Black Swallowtail - Grand Pre - 2012-07-27
2012-07-27
Photo © Mark Elderkin