Old World Swallowtail (Papilio machaon Linnaeus)
Wing span: 2 1/2 - 3 inches (6.5 - 7.5 cm).
Identification: Upperside of hindwing near tail has reddish-orange eyespot with black along lower border. Edge of hindwing and body are hairy.
Life history: Females lay eggs singly on the host plant, and newly-hatched caterpillars eat the leaves. Older caterpillars feeding on plants of the parsley family prefer to eat the flowers. Chrysalids overwinter.
Flight: In north, one flight in late May-July; two flights in south.
Caterpillar hosts: Arctic sagebrush (Artemisia arctica) in the sunflower family (Asteraceae), and some species in the parsley family (Apiaceae).
Adult food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Open hilltops, mountain meadows, tundra.
Range: Holarctic. In North America, south from Alaska to northern British Colombia, east across Canada. Southern British Colombia south through New Mexico.
Comments: Includes P. brevicauda, P. joanae, P. oregonius and P. bairdii.
