Black Swallowtail is of our most common and familiar butterflies, easily confused with several other dark swallowtail species, especially dark female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. The undersides of males and females are similar.

Mating pair, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, Orange Co., NC on 4/10/2005.

On the dorsal (top) side, the male (bottom) is more boldly patterned with yellow, while the female has more blue (hidden in this photo). Same pair as above.

Male, Alleghany Co., NC 7/2/06.

Male, New Hanover Co., NC 8/12/07.

The caterpillars are more often seen than adults. They seemingly appear spontaneously on plants in the carrot family (Umbelliferae or Apiaceae) such as fennel (here) and parsley.

Durham Co., NC 7/20/13.

Close-up of a first-instar Black Swallowtail.

Durham Co., NC 7/20/13.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/12/07.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/12/07.

Caterpillar on Zizia.
Carroll Co., VA 6/14/03.

Chrysalises are normally green. Durham Co., NC 7/8/03.

This chrysalis matches the color of the redcedar branch. Durham Co., NC 7/8/03.

Note that the big red spot on the hindwing has a small black spot in it. This helps tell Black Swallowtail apart from similar species, such as Spicebush Swallowtail and dark form Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.

Female, Granville Co., NC 4/25/04.

Same individual. This freshly-emerged butterfly was still pumping up its wings and could barely fly.

A relatively little-marked female.

Hidalgo Co., TX 10/18/04.

Females often flutter their wings continually while depositing eggs on host plants.

Orange Co., NC 4/10/05.

They tend not to stay long enough to let you snap pictures! This female had just left the plant, which looks like it could be Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), also known as Queen Anne's Lace.

Orange Co., NC 4/10/05.

Male, Granville Co., NC 4/28/03.

Female caught by a Green Lynx spider.

Craven Co., NC 8/26/2012.