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Species Details

Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

Common NameAnise Swallowtail SeasonalityOne brood annually, with adults most common between early June and early July. IdentificationThis species is similar to subspecies of the Old World Swallowtail (P. machaon). The Anise Swallowtail occurs together with P. machaon throughout most of Alberta, and the following characters will distinguish these two species in most cases: the black pupil of the hindwing eyespot is centered and unconnected in P. zelicaon, while in P. machaon it is connected to the wing margin or positioned below the red scales. Differences in the mitchondrial DNA also distinguish these species (Sperling & Harrison 1994). Hybrid individuals displaying characters intermediate between P. machaon and P. zelicaon are occasionally found where the range of these species overlap, and can be common in some regions, such as the central Alberta foothills (Sperling 1987, Sperling 1990). To add to the challenge in identifying members of this confusing group, a black colour form of P. zelicaon, P. m. dodi and zelicaon X machaon hybrids occurs, in which adults have most of the yellow colouration replaced by black (Sperling 1987). The black form of P. zelicaon was once thought to be a separate species, P. nitra.

Scientific Name Papilio zelicaon Common Name Anise Swallowtail Habitat Occurs in a wide variety of habitats, from alpine meadows to grasslands and forest clearings. Seasonality One brood annually, with adults most common between early June and early July. Identification
This species is similar to subspecies of the Old World Swallowtail (P. machaon). The Anise Swallowtail occurs together with P. machaon throughout most of Alberta, and the following characters will distinguish these…
This species is similar to subspecies of the Old World Swallowtail (P. machaon). The Anise Swallowtail occurs together with P. machaon throughout most of Alberta, and the following characters will distinguish these two species in most cases: the black pupil of the hindwing eyespot is centered and unconnected in P. zelicaon, while in P. machaon it is connected to the wing margin or positioned below the red scales. Differences in the mitchondrial DNA also distinguish these species (Sperling & Harrison 1994). Hybrid individuals displaying characters intermediate between P. machaon and P. zelicaon are occasionally found where the range of these species overlap, and can be common in some regions, such as the central Alberta foothills (Sperling 1987, Sperling 1990). To add to the challenge in identifying members of this confusing group, a black colour form of P. zelicaon, P. m. dodi and zelicaon X machaon hybrids occurs, in which adults have most of the yellow colouration replaced by black (Sperling 1987). The black form of P. zelicaon was once thought to be a separate species, P. nitra.
Life History
The immature stages are very similar to the Old World Swallowtail. Eggs are pale yellow and round, with visible reddish areas on the top and sides as the larva develops (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Eggs are laid on the…
The immature stages are very similar to the Old World Swallowtail. Eggs are pale yellow and round, with visible reddish areas on the top and sides as the larva develops (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Eggs are laid on the flower heads and leaves of the hostplant (Bird et al. 1995). The first three larval instars resemble bird droppings, coloured black with a white saddle, and later instars are green with black bands and yellow to orange spots (Sperling 1987). The pupa has a projection on each side and a row of projections along the dorsum; it varies in colour from yellow-green to brown (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Adults commonly nectar at Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and males fly to hilltops to await females (Bird et al. 1995).
Conservation Not of concern. Diet Info
Larvae feed on various umbellifers (Umbelliferae) in Alberta, depending on habitat and geographic location. Confirmed hosts include Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum), several species of Angelica (Angelica arguta, A.…
Larvae feed on various umbellifers (Umbelliferae) in Alberta, depending on habitat and geographic location. Confirmed hosts include Cow Parsnip (Heracleum lanatum), several species of Angelica (Angelica arguta, A. dawsoni, A. genuflexa), wild parsleys (Lomatium dissectum, L. triternatum), Water Parsnip (Sium suave), and Heart-leaved Alexanders (Zizia aptera) (Sperling 1987).
Range Distributed from northern BC and Alberta south to Baja California, Mexico and New Mexico (Opler 1999).
Papilio zelicaon
Papilio zelicaon

Citation

Page Citation for Papilio zelicaon

Page Citation

"Species Details - Papilio zelicaon, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2512/9-16505. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

References

Specimen Information

There are 371 specimens of this Species.

351 results plotted on map in 55 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

UASM19304 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1981-08-19

UASM19348 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1981-08-19

UASM19352 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wintering Hills Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1982-05-30

UASM19353 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wintering Hills Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1982-06-01

UASM19354 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rosedale Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1980-05-13

UASM19355 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rosedale Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1980-05-13

UASM19356 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rosedale Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1980-05-13

UASM19357 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rosedale Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1980-05-13

UASM19358 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wintering Hills Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1982-06-01

UASM19359 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Drumheller Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1982-08-08

UASM19360 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wintering Hills Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1982-05-24

UASM19361 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wintering Hills Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1982-05-24

UASM19362 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wintering Hills Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1982-05-24

UASM19575 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Wintering Hills Collected BySperling, Felix A. H. Date Collected1982-06-01

UASM33273 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Priddis Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1992-06-21

UASM33274 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rocky Mountain House Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1997-06-07

UASM33275 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Granum Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1983-05-22

UASM33276 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Mount Allan Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1984-07-12

UASM33277 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rocky Mountain House Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1996-06-30

UASM33278 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Patricia Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1983-07-15

UASM33279 - Papilio zelicaon

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bragg Creek Collected ByLawrie, D. Date Collected1992-06-07

Adult Seasonal Distribution