Anise Swallowtail
Papilio zelicaon
Range: A common butterfly throughout most of its range in the western U.S., this swallowtail can be found in most of British Columbia.
Description: This medium-sized swallowtail (wingspan: 52 to 80 mm) tends to be mainly yellow in most forms. The yellow band is wide on the forewing and on the hindwing extends to the wing base. The eye-spot near the tails has a black-centred pupil. The abdomen is black with a yellow lateral stripe.
Habits: This species is widespread in a variety of habitats from seashore to high mountains. It is an avid flower visitor and is often seen in western gardens. However, the easiest way to find it is to visit a hilltop where males commonly wait for females.
Flight Season: Adults are found from late May to late June in Saskatchewan; there is a single mid-summer brood at higher elevations in the Rocky Mountains. In British Columbia and Alberta they are usually found from June into August.
A guide book: Butterflies of Western North America
