Characteristics: A predominantly black, large butterfly with iridescent blue on DHW and VHW, and tails on the HW. Orange spots on VHW. Distinct from our other local swallowtails .

Habitats, Behavior: Adults often have a swift and erratic flight, and are easier captured nectaring at flowers.

Distribution: Strays are infrequently taken in Orange County. Erich Walter recalls seeing several in the early 1940's in an orange grove at his home in Anaheim. Theodore Hower mentions seeing philenor at the Laguna Lakes many years ago. More recently, John Emmel observed several flying northward along the water's edge at San Clemente in the 1950's.

Larval Foodplant: Aristolochia spp. (pipevine)

Other Remarks: It is doubtful that this beautiful swallowtail is a resident species in Orange County although its larval foodplant is occasionally planted as an ornamental vine. Our records are probably representatives of the subspecies philenor, although it is conceivable that the northern California subspecies hirsuta (characterized by long hairs on the abdomen) might stray here, since Gunder (1930) records a stray representing this race from Los Angeles County. Typical philenor breeds in Arizona and our autumn Santa Ana winds probably assist in carrying some Arizonian specimens into coastal southern California every year.

Orsak, L. J. (1977). The Butterflies of Orange County, California. Center for Pathobiology Miscellaneous Publication #3.  University of California Press, New York.  349pp.

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