Viceroy Butterfly

*Limenitis archippus*

Description
The Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) is one of the most distinctive and elegant butterflies in eastern North America. Named for its striking black-and-white striped pattern, this butterfly is instantly recognizable both in flight and at rest. Its long, graceful tail extensions on the hindwings give it the “swallowtail” name and make it a favorite among butterfly enthusiasts.

Identification Tips

• Wings are white with bold black stripes, creating a zebra-like pattern.
• Hindwings have extremely long, elegant tail-like extensions.
• Wingspan ranges from 6.4 to 10.4 cm.
• Spring form individuals are smaller with shorter tails; summer form individuals are larger with noticeably longer tails.
• The only North American swallowtail with this distinctive black-and-white striped pattern.

Life Cycle & Behavior
The Zebra Swallowtail undergoes complete metamorphosis. Females lay eggs singly on the leaves of pawpaw trees. The caterpillars are green with black and yellow bands, blending well with the host plant. In warmer regions, adults can be seen from March through December, producing multiple broods per year. Adults fly with a graceful, gliding pattern, and males are often seen puddling at damp sand or soil along riverbanks to obtain minerals.

Host Plants & Habitat

• Caterpillar Host Plants: Exclusively pawpaw trees (Asimina species), a member of the custard apple family.
• Adult Nectar Plants: Asters, honeysuckle, lantana, blackberry blossoms, and other flowering plants near woodland edges.
• Habitat: Woodland edges, riverbanks, open woods, and areas where pawpaw trees grow. Found primarily in the eastern United States, from the Great Lakes region south to Florida, and west to eastern Texas.

Conservation Status
Not Evaluated (IUCN). However, local populations depend heavily on the availability of pawpaw trees, their sole larval host plant.

Identification Tips

Orange-brown wings with black veins. Key difference from Monarch: a black curved line across the hindwing. Slightly smaller, flight faster and more erratic.

Similar Species

*No similar species recorded yet.*

Related Species

* Other species in this family (to be linked manually).