Types of Swallowtail Butterflies
Swallowtails are the largest and most spectacular butterflies in North America, named for the slender tails trailing off their hindwings. The Tiger Swallowtail is the yellow giant of summer gardens; others, like the Black and Pipevine Swallowtails, mimic toxic species to keep birds away. Here are the swallowtails in the Huck field guide.
10 swallowtail butterflies in the Huck field guide. Tap any one for identification, habitat, diet, and a live sightings map.
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Get Huck - freeCommon questions
What is the biggest butterfly in North America?
The Giant Swallowtail, with a wingspan approaching six inches. The familiar Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is not far behind and is the one most people picture when they think of a big yellow butterfly.
What do swallowtail caterpillars eat?
It depends on the species: Black Swallowtails eat carrot-family plants like parsley, dill, and Queen Anne’s Lace, while Tiger Swallowtails favor trees like wild cherry and tulip poplar. Many gardeners find the caterpillars on their herbs.