common name: giant swallowtail, orangedog
scientific name: Papilio cresphontes Cramer (Insecta: Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Introduction - Distribution - Description - Life Cycle - Biological Control - Other Control Methods - Selected References

Introduction

The giant swallowtail, Papilio cresphontes Cramer, is a striking, wonderfully "exotic"-looking butterfly that is very abundant in Florida. The adult butterfly is a welcome visitor to butterfly gardens and to general landscape plantings. The larval or caterpillar stage however, can be considered a pest because of its habit of feeding on the foliage of most Citrus species. A few "orangedogs", as the larvae are commonly called, can quickly defoliate small or young plants. Larvae can be tolerated however, on large dooryard citrus trees in order to enjoy the soon-to-develop magnificent adult butterfly stage.

Distribution

The giant swallowtail is widely distributed throughout the American continent. its range extends from southern New England across the northern Great Lakes states, into Ontario, through the southern portions of the Central Plains to the Rocky Mountains. The species ranges southward to Florida and the Caribbean, into the southwestern United States, and on through Mexico to Central and South America. The giant swallowtail is very common throughout the entire state of Florida. It is active throughout the year in southern Florida, and is common in northern Florida, except in January and February.

Description

Adult giant swallowtails are large butterflies with a forewing span of 4.6 to 6.9 cm (avg. 5.5 cm) for males and a span of 5.3 to 7.4 cm (avg. 5.8 cm) for females. The dorsal wing surfaces of the butterfly are black with a striking diagonal yellow bar across the forewings The ventral wing surfaces are primarily yellow. The giant swallowtail is very distinct from all other swallowtails found in Florida, except for the endangered Schaus’ swallowtail (Papilio aristodemus ponceanus) which is confined to the Florida Keys. The giant swallowtail can be distinguished from the Schaus’ swallowtail by the yellow-filled "tails" (Schaus’ swallowtail tails are all black), and the small, brick-red patch just interior to the blue median band on the ventral hind wing. The five larval instars differ in appearance but they all share a resemblance to bird droppings. The younger instars are predominantly black with a white saddle while the older instars are mottled dark brown with a posterior that is white or cream colored. It has been suggested that the older instars resemble small snakes.

adult

young instar

older instar

Life Cycle

Adult butterflies sip nectar from many flowers and are common, but spectacular, visitors to butterfly gardens. Identified nectar sources include azalea, bougainvillea, Japanese honeysuckle, goldenrod, dame’s rocket, bouncing Bet, and swamp milkweed. They may also sip liquid from manure. Adult males patrol flyways through pine woods or citrus groves searching for females. Flight is very strong and leisurely, and the butterflies may glide long distances between wing beats. Courtship and copulation occur in the afternoon. Mated females usually lay their eggs singly on the upper surface of leaves of host plants.

The 1 to 1.5-mm spherical cream to brown eggs hatch and larvae progress through five instars. Larval feeding usually takes place during the night. The larva is the well-known "orangedog" and is considered a minor pest of orange, Citrus sinensis. Other food plants of the larvae include other Citrus species, Zanthoxylum americanum (northern prickly ash), Z. clavaherculis (Hercules club), Z. fagara (lime prickly ash), Dictamnus albus, Casimiroa edulis and Amyris elemifera (torchwood), and other Rutaceae, such as Ptelea trifoliata (hoptree) and Choisya dumosa (Mexican orange). Larvae may pupate on small twigs on the host plant on which they were feeding or they may travel a short distance to a vertically-oriented structure, such as a fence or other plant. The brownish chrysalis is typically oriented at 45° to the pupation substrate, its posterior end attached directly to the substrate and its anterior end attached via a thin silken thread to the substrate. At least two, and probably three, generations occur each year in Florida.

eggs

chrysalis

Biological Control

Giant swallowtail pupae are immobile and defenseless against parasitic insects. Pupae may be parasitized by Lespesia rileyi (Williston), a tachinid fly, Brachymeria robusta (Cresson), a chalcidid wasp, and Pteromalus cassotis Walker and Pteromalus vanessae Howard, two pteromalid wasps. The larval stages, however, appear to be more protected against natural enemies than the pupal stage. Larvae defend themselves against predators (both insects and vertebrates) and parasitic insects by being less visible through cryptic coloration and pattern (i.e., by resembling bird droppings). In addition, larvae possess an osmeterium, an orange or reddish Y-shaped eversible gland that is located mid-dorsally behind the head. When attacked by small predators, the larva extrudes the gland and attempts to wipe it against the attacker. The osmeterium of fourth and fifth instars contains a highly noxious, pungent mixture of chemicals (40:60 mixture of isobutyric acid and 2-methyl butyric acid) that smells like rancid butter. This glandular secretion is repellent and toxic to small predators, such as ants and spiders. Studies have shown that birds are not repelled by these secretions but still rarely eat giant swallowtail larvae. It is thought that larvae may also contain internal toxins (obtained from their food plants) that protect them against bird predation.

larva with everted osmeterium

Other Control Methods

Homeowners may find that just a few larvae of the giant swallowtail will defoliate small, potted citrus plants. It is recommended that larvae be hand picked from these small plants so that blossom and fruit yield are not drastically reduced. Mature commercial citrus trees can withstand infestation by many larvae however, nursery stock and young grove trees can be protected with Bacillus thuringiensis and synthetic insecticides when necessary, as described in the Florida Citrus Pest Management Guide.

Selected References

Author: Heather McAuslane, University of Florida
Photographs: Heather McAuslane and James Castner, University of Florida
Project Coordinator: Thomas R. Fasulo, University of Florida
Publication Number: EENY-8
Publication Date: April 1997. Latest revision: May 2007.
Copyright 1997-2006 University of Florida

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Department of Entomology and Nematology
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