Papilio polyxenes asterius
"Black Swallowtail"
Family: Papilionidae
The Black Swallowtail is found throughout North America and into southern Canada. Its habitat is open spaces such as gardens, farmland, and meadows. They are seldom found in wooded areas. The Ozark Swallowtail is a similar looking species, although it dwells in wooded habitats. The Black Swallowtail has a black body with yellow spots on each side. The wings are black with two bands of yellow markings running laterally. On the lower wings, the female has a blue band between two yellow bands, with a red spot near the tails. The male has less blue and more distinctive red spots than the female. On the ventral side of the hind wings there are brilliant orange and blue lateral markings, while there are two rows of yellow lateral markings on the forewings. The Black Swallowtail is 2.75 to 3.5 inches in width and 3.0 to 3.5 inches in height. As a caterpillar it feeds on wild or cultivated carrots, parsley, celery, and dill. The caterpillars are often referred to as celery or parsley worms.
