In a joint effort to expand the knowledge and understanding of the flora and fauna of Polk County, Conserving Carolina and botanist David Campbell are asking residents to help locate this month’s “Polk County’s Most Wanted — Animal” — the largest species of butterfly in North America, the aptly named giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes). 

Colored dark, chocolate brown, with prominent areas of yellow on its wings and body and with a wingspan of up to a whopping six inches, the giant swallowtail is a distinctive member of the insect fauna.

Ranging from the Southern United States and up into the provinces of Ontario and Quebec in Canada, the giant swallowtail is widely distributed in Eastern North America; however, this species of butterfly is far less common, and very localized, in the northern reaches of its range.

In North Carolina, the giant swallowtail is most often encountered along the coast, and becomes increasingly rare the further one travels inland.

The larval hostplants for the giant swallowtail are always members of the Rue family.

Within North Carolina, caterpillars may be found on Prickly-ash along the coast and Hoptree in the Piedmont and mountains. The caterpillar resembles a bird dropping, and may be readily searched for on leaf surfaces or along stems of suitable hostplants.  

There are typically two broods (flight periods) in North Carolina, ranging from May into September, depending on location.

Recently, sightings of this species have been recorded in Polk County in close proximity to populations of Hoptree. Although no larvae have been found yet, it is quite possible that giant swallowtails breed in Polk County in low numbers. Hoptree is a distinctive shrub (sometimes a small tree) and is often found along rock outcrops, bluffs, or along streams in areas of mafic soils.

Anyone who has spotted the giant swallowtail is asked to send photos, questions or comments to Pam Torlina at Conserving Carolina by phone at 828-697-5777, ext. 300, or email, pam@conservingcarolina.org. 

For more information about “Polk County’s Most Wanted”  visit conservingcarolina.org/our-impact/education.

– Written by David Campbell