Pipevine swallowtail
(Battus philenor)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | not listed |
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| NatureServe | N5 - Secure |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Description |
On the underside of the hindwing there is a row of seven submarginal orange spots on an iridescent blue background. |
Size |
2¾″ to 5″ |
Similar Species |
Eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) black form female also has a submarginal row of spots but they lack the iridescent blue background. |
Habitat |
Open woodland, woodland edges. |
Ecology |
Season |
Two broods: late May to June, and July through August. |
Behavior |
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Life Cycle |
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Larva Hosts |
Pipevines (Aristolochia spp.) |
Adult Food |
Flower nectar, including thistle, beebalm, lilac, phlox, dame’s rocket, vervain, and lupine. |
Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 8/27/2025 | ||
Occurrence |
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Rare stray in Minnesota Pipevine swallowtail is locally common in the south but rare to uncommon in much of the east. It is a rare stray to Minnesota. The caterpillars feed only on plants in the genus Aristolochia (pipevines). There are 23 species of pipevine in North America north of Mexico. Virginia snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria) is found in Iowa and woolly Dutchman’s pipe (Aristolochia tomentosa) is found in Wisconsin. No other Aristolochia species is found in Minnesota or a bordering state. |
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Taxonomy |
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Order |
Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) |
Superfamily |
Papilionoidea (butterflies) |
Family |
Papilionidae (swallowtails and parnassians) |
Subfamily |
Papilioninae (swallowtails) |
Tribe |
Troidini (birdwings, cattlehearts, and pipevine swallowtails) |
| Subtribe | Battina |
Genus |
Battus (pipevine swallowtails and allies) |
Subordinate Taxa |
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California pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor ssp. hirsuta) pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor ssp. frailescana) pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor ssp. philenor) Revillagigedo pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor ssp. insularis) Tres Marías pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor ssp. orsua) Yucatán pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor ssp. acauda) |
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Synonyms |
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Papilio philenor |
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Common Names |
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blue swallowtail pipevine swallowtail |
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Visitor Photos |
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Beth Siverhus |
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Pipevine swallowtail in Warroad, MN On 7/26/15 I had a pipevine swallowtail in the yard feeding on the delphiniums. I submitted the photo and a record was documented for the state of MN. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
Captive insect: These photos were taken in the Butterfly Garden at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. |
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Slideshows |
Battus philenor (Pipevine Swallowtail) |
Pipevine Swallowtail |
Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
Pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor) male |
About
Published on Aug 23, 2013 sharing what i seen today with you. |
Visitor Sightings |
Report a sighting of this insect. |
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| Beth Siverhus 7/26/2015 |
Location: Warroad, MN On 7/26/15 I had a pipevine swallowtail in the yard feeding on the delphiniums. I submitted the photo and a record was documented for the state of MN The swallowtails are gorgeous butterflies. It is such a treat to have them visit on occasion! |
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| Beth Siverhus 7/26/2015 |
Location: Warroad, MN On 7/26/15 I had a pipevine swallowtail in the yard feeding on the delphiniums. I submitted the photo and a record was documented for the state of MN The swallowtails are gorgeous butterflies. It is such a treat to have them visit on occasion! |
KJ Godfrey |
Location: Sauk Rapids, Benton County |
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings |
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Created: 7/2/2019 Last Updated: © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved. |