The Pipevine Swallowtail, sometimes called the “Blue Swallowtail,” is a striking black butterfly marked by a single row of pale spots near the edges of its wings. When the wings are open, the dorsal surface of the hindwings shimmers with an iridescent blue or blue-green hue, especially vivid in males. A row of white spots runs parallel to the border of the tailed hindwings. With wings closed, the underside reveals a dramatic display: a submarginal row of seven circular orange spots set against a blue iridescent field, accented with touches of white.

 

“Pipevine Swallowtail” by John Flannery, licensed under (CC BY-ND 2.0)

 

Pipevine Swallowtail Facts

Butterfly Family: Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilionidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Papilioninae

Butterfly Wingspan: 2 3/4 – 5 inches

Butterfly Habitat: A wide variety of open habitats, open woodland, and woodland edges

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla)

• Virginia Snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria)

• Woolly Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia tomentosa)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Pipevine Swallowtail butterflies feed on nectar from a variety of native flowers:

• Azalea (Rhododendron)

• Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)

• Blazing Stars (Liatris spp.)

• Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Ironweed (Vernonia fasciculata)

• Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum)

• Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum spp.)

• Phlox (Phlox paniculata or P. divaricata)

• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

• Thistle (Cirsium discolor)

• Vervain (Verbena spp.)

• Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

• Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)