The resemblance of the pupae to leaves provides protection from predators (Eisner et al. Older larvae sometimes hide in leaf litter at the base of the plant when not feeding (Damman 1986 Minno et al. Larvae may thrash (Cech and Tudor 2005) or drop off the host plant when disturbed by a predator (Damman 1986). Osmeterial fluids have been shown to be an effective defense against small ants and spiders but not against most other predators or against the ichneumonid parasitoid of papilionids, Trogus pennator (Fabricius), which does not trigger extrusion of the osmeterium with its attacks (Damman 1986). It is unknown whether they offer any protection against parasitoids. Some of these acetogenins have insecticidal activity against some insects (McGlaughlin 2008). The larval host plants contain toxic acetogenins that would certainly be contained in the regurgitated fluids and are also sequestered by larvae and persist in the tissues and wings of adults (Martin et al. (2005) suggested that the effectiveness of the mixture may be enhanced by toxic compounds from the host plant contained in the regurgitated fluids. These fluids may become mixed with the osmeterial fluids, and Eisner et al. At the same time the osmeterium is extruded, larvae regurgitate gut fluids. When disturbed, larvae extrude the osmeterium and smear the offender with the chemicals. The larval osmeterium (Figure 9) is coated with the strongly smelling chemicals isobutyric and 2-methyl butyric acids (Eisner et al. Larvae are parasitized by tachinid flies (Sime 2005) and the ichneumonid wasps Itopletis conquisitor Say and Trogus pennator (Fabricius) (Krombein et al. Zebra swallowtail eggs are occasionally parasitized by Trichogramma (Trichogrammatidae) wasps (Sime 2005). Diapausing pupae are usually brown (Scott 1986) and are camouflaged on the dead leaves during the winter. However, some pupae of each flight overwinter (Scott 1986). Short photoperiod produces diapausing pupae that hibernate (Hazel and West 1983). The brown pupa in Figure 11 resulted from a larva that was placed in a container containing only dead leaves and brown twigs immediately after it voided the gut and began to wander. Pupae formed on living leaves are usually green, while those formed on dead (brown) leaves are usually brown (West and Hazel 1985 West and Hazel 1996). Larvae usually pupate on the undersides of either living or dead leaves of the host plant. Hall, UF/IFASįull-grown larvae evacuate the gut and begin to wander in search of a pupation site around midday (West and Hazel 1985). Common pawpaw, Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal (Annonaceae), a larval host for the zebra swallowtail, Protographium marcellus (Cramer).
#ZEBRA SWALLOWTAIL PATCH#
Males have a patch of elongated sex-pheromone-producing scent scales (androconia) in the anal folds (Figure 4) of the hind wings (Scott 1986, Simonsen et al. Unlike most of our other native swallowtails, zebra swallowtails are not involved in a mimicry complex. For lists of the names that have been used for the seasonal and transitional forms, see Tyler et al. Mather (1970) detailed descriptions of the color forms. Early spring specimens are lighter in color, smaller, and have shorter tails (Scott 1986). Zebra swallowtails exhibit seasonal polymorphism. The lower surface of the wings is similar, except there is a red stripe running through the middle of the hind wing. The upper surface of the wings is white with black stripes. The wingspread of adults is 2.5 to 4 inches (64 to 104 mm) (Opler and Malikul 1992). General distribution map for the zebra swallowtail, Protographium marcellus (Cramer).
The zebra swallowtail is widely distributed from southern New England west to eastern Kansas and south to Texas and Florida (Figure 3).įigure 3. 2018), but Eurytides is still used by some field guides and butterfly books (e.g., Evans 2008 Glassberg 2017).
The name Protographium is now being used in recent taxonomic journal papers (e.g., Allio et al. It has also been placed in the following genera:įor many years the zebra swallowtail was known by the genus name Eurytides, until Möhn (2002) moved it from Eurytides to the genus Neographium and most recently, Lamas (2004) moved it to the genus Protographium. The zebra swallowtail was originally grouped with the other butterflies in the genus Papilio and named Papilio ajax by Linnaeus (1758). Zebra swallowtail, Protographium marcellus (Cramer), with wings closed.
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