Androgeus Swallowtail

Identification: Male has elongated forewing and very short and narrow hindwing tails. Uppersides of fore- and hindwings have very broad yellow bands and no marginal rows of yellow spots. Females are black; hindwings each have 3 narrow pointed tails and blue iridescence on upperside.

Life history: Males patrol for receptive females. Eggs are laid singly; caterpillars resemble bird droppings. Chrysalids overwinter.

Flight: Many flights from April- October.

Wing span: 5 1/4 - 5 1/2 inches (13.4 - 14 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Leaves of trees in citrus (Rutaceae) family orange (Citrus sinensis) and Zanthoxylum elephantiasis.

Adult food: Nectar from a variety of flowers.

Habitat: Overgrown citrus groves... read more in Florida; tropical forests in central and south America.

Range: Mexico to Argentina; small population in south Florida.