Bug FAQTwo-tailed Swallowtail
Papilio multicaudata · Order: Lepidoptera · Family: Papilionidae
Also called: Three-tailed swallowtail, Two-Tailed Tiger Swallowtail
Source: Wikipedia
The two-tailed swallowtail is the largest swallowtail in western North America, with a wingspan of 3 to 6.5 inches. It lives near streams, moist valleys, canyons and even cities, often using hoptree in California and green ash along roads elsewhere. Adults fly in spring and summer, have one brood, and the pupae overwinter to emerge in May.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
Found near streams, moist valleys, canyons and in urban areas at lower elevations.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
They fold host leaves together with silk and eat from the shelter they create.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Adults are on the wing in spring and summer and produce a single generation each year. Pupae spend the winter in the chrysalis and emerge as adults in May.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Adults are active during spring and summer.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Its range extends from British Columbia down through western North America to Central America.
Source: Wikipedia
Lookalikes
It is generally larger than other swallowtails in its range, though some eastern tiger swallowtails can be as big.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 22 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Colorado, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, California, Idaho, Washington.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada; native in United States. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Do two-tailed swallowtail caterpillars damage trees?
Yes, the caterpillars feed on the leaves of several tree species, which can harm the plants.
Source: Wikipedia
When can I see adult two-tailed swallowtails?
Adults fly in spring and summer, with one generation per year.
Source: Wikipedia
Where does this butterfly live?
It lives near streams, moist valleys, canyons and in cities, often using hoptree in California and green ash along roads elsewhere.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Papilionidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilio_multicaudata
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.