description Ornythion Swallowtail Overview
The Ornythion Swallowtail (Papilio ornythion) is a butterfly species native to Mexico and parts of Central America, with occasional sightings in the southern United States. It belongs to the swallowtail family Papilionidae and is predominantly yellow with broad black wing margins. The species closely resembles the Thoas Swallowtail (Papilio thoas), making field identification challenging where ranges overlap. Its caterpillars feed on plants in the citrus family Rutaceae.
help Ornythion Swallowtail FAQ
Where is the Ornythion Swallowtail found?
The Ornythion Swallowtail, Papilio ornythion, is native mainly to Mexico and Guatemala. It is occasionally recorded in Texas and New Mexico, with rarer records from southern Arizona and Kansas.
How can you identify an Ornythion Swallowtail?
It is predominantly yellow with broad black margins, black veins, and orange markings on the hindwings. The species also has a dark female form in which the usual pale median band is greatly reduced or absent.
What plants do Ornythion Swallowtail caterpillars use?
The larvae feed on citrus plants and other members of the citrus family. Adults visit flowers for nectar after emerging.
When was Papilio ornythion described?
The species was described by the French entomologist Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Dechauffour de Boisduval in 1836. It belongs to the swallowtail family Papilionidae and the Papilio thoas species group.
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