New Jersey Butterfly Club

A chapter of the North American Butterfly Association (NABA)

Pipevine Swallowtail

Battus philenor

Identification: Large—3.6” (similar to Black Swallowtail). Above: FW black with faint submarginal white spots (more prominent in the female); HW mostly iridescent blue (amount of blue seen depends on angle of view, and is more extensive in the male). Below: FW mostly black with short row of pale spots. HW with striking curved line of large orange spots set within iridescent blue.

NJ Status and Distribution: Resident. Primarily a southern species that is uncommon and very local. Can turn up anywhere pipevines (Aristolochia) are planted.

NJ Range Map-Pipevine Swallowtail

Habitat: Open, sunny, upland fields with flowers. Can be attracted to gardens with pipevines, and with flowers such as Butterfly Bush, Purple Coneflower, Wild Bergamot, and milkweeds.

Flight Period: Late April to late October with peaks in mid-May to late June, and mid-July to mid-August. The summer brood is much larger than the spring brood. Extreme Dates: North Jersey 4/11–11/9; South Jersey 4/17-10/26.

Caterpillar Food Plants: Mostly ornamental species in the genus Aristolochia. Our only native species (A. serpentaria), which is rare, is also probably used.

Overwintering Stage: Pupa.

Good Locations: Palisades Interstate Park has by far the largest population. A few can be seen most years at other locations such as Kittatinny Valley SP, White Lake NRA, and Whittingham WMA.


Pipevine Swallowtail

Male, Walpack Twp, Sussex Co., NJ, 6/22/10, on Wild Bergamot.


Pipevine Swallowtail

Female, Kittatinny Valley SP, Sussex Co., NJ, 8/4/13.


Pipevine Swallowtail

Female, Fredon Twp., Sussex Co., NJ, 7/23/08, on Purple Coneflower, showing variation in amount of blue visible depending upon the angle of view.


Pipevine Swallowtail

Palisades Interstate Park, Bergen Co., NJ, 8/6/08, on Plumeless Thistle.


Pipevine Swallowtail eggs

Eggs.


Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillar

Late instar caterpillar.


Pipevine Swallowtail chrysalis

Pupa.


Dutchman's Pipe

Dutchman's Pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla), native to the southeast but not to NJ, is a widely planted ornamental species readily accepted by Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars.