North American Butterfly

Photo: © Debbie Hadley, WILD Jersey

The Giant Swallowtail, Papilio cresphontes, is nearly ready for its first flight. The Giant Swallowtail is also nicknamed the "Orange Dog" because it breeds on citrus. It is possible this butterfly is actually a nearly identical species called the Thoas Swallowtail, Papilio thoas nealces. The two species are virtually identical, and the only way to tell the difference is to feel for a notch near the tip of the abdomen.