Pipevine Swallowtail, Battus philenor

These all appear to be Pipevine Swallowtails (Battus philenor L. 1771). They appear to be attracted almost exclusively to purples in my garden.



This afternoon there were at least 4 adult males patrolling, searching for receptive females. I never saw a female. The Females lay batches of eggs on underside of host plant leaves. Caterpillars feed in small groups when young but become solitary when older. Wintering is by the chrysalis (the hard-shell pupa or cocoon).



This species wingspan is up to 5 inches (13 cm).



The caterpillar host is pipevine (Aristollochia species). . .and thus the name.



In my garden they stayed on the purple zinnia and purple or white and purple Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don). Periwinkle is a naturalized plant in Central Florida.