Parnassians and Swallowtails

Family Papilionidae

Eastern black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

The larvae of parnassians and swallowtails feed on foliage of a variety of plants.This family contains the largest and some of the most beautifully coloured butterflies. The larvae of swallowtails have an eversible scent gland or osmeterium just behind the head that produces a bad odour when the larvae is disturbed. Swallowtails are widespread in Canada but parnassians are found mostly in mountain areas. The parnassians are medium sized, white or gray with dark marking on the wings. Most of them have small reddish spots on the hind wings. The swallowtails are large, usually dark coloured butterflies with a long tail on the hind wings. The larvae are usually smooth and some species have markings at the anterior end that resemble eyespots. Others are mottled with white and black and look like bird droppings; this is believed to confuse birds and lizards that might attack them.

Distribution of Eastern black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) in Canada