Try for Free
tab list
Picture Insect
English
arrow
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Home Application Download FAQ
English
English
繁體中文
日本語
Español
Français
Deutsch
Pусский
Português
Italiano
한국어
Nederlands
العربية
Icon about
About
Icon about
General Info
Icon about
Search Tips
Icon about
Harmful or Not
Icon about
Beneficial Effects
Icon about
Common FAQs
Icon about
Similar Insects
Icon about
Popular Insects
Dark zebra swallowtail

Dark zebra swallowtail

Protographium philolaus

A species of Protographium

The dark zebra swallowtail is named for its striking black and white zebra-like wings, which taper into a long point like a swallow's tail. These butterflies feed on flower nectar, and as such are important plant pollinators. They can be found in low-lying habitats, often beside rivers.

General Info About Dark zebra swallowtail
Instantly identify insects with a snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Attributes of Dark zebra swallowtail
Habitat
sand at the edge of river
Adult Food Sources
Floral nectar from a variety of flowers such as lantana, buddleia, and other nectar-producing plants
Larva Food Source
Aristolochia species leaves
Biting/stinging
Not reported
Allergy-causing
Not reported
Defensive attack
Not reported
Venomous
Not reported
Non-poisonous
Not reported
Borer
Not reported
Pollinator
Not reported
Pest-Eating Predatory
Not reported
Phytophagous
Not reported
Predatory
Not reported
qrcode
Img download isoImg download android
Rectangle
Distribution Area of Dark zebra swallowtail
Southern Texas, northern South America
Rectangle
Life Cycle of Dark zebra swallowtail
Egg The embryonic stage begins with the ovum, a tiny, typically oval-shaped object. The size and color can vary, but the insect inside develops the basic structures and organs needed for the larval stage.
Larva The larva of dark zebra swallowtail hatches with a voracious appetite, focusing on feeding and rapid growth. It lacks wings, has a worm-like appearance, and molting occurs, allowing for the increase in size and development of dark zebra swallowtail.
Pupal As a pupa, dark zebra swallowtail undergoes transformation enclosed within a protective case. During this time, the body form changes drastically, developing wings and adult structures. The pupa remains immobile and is often camouflaged.
Adult Emerging from the pupa, the adult dark zebra swallowtail’s development is marked by the presence of wings and functional reproductive organs. The body is fully formed and hardened, and the adult is mobile, focusing on reproduction.
Rectangle
Predators of Dark zebra swallowtail Larvae
Birds, rodents, wasps, spiders, ants
Rectangle
Predators of Adult Dark zebra swallowtail
Birds, spiders, praying mantises, lizards, dragonflies
Rectangle
Scientific Classification of Dark zebra swallowtail
Tips for Finding Dark zebra swallowtail
Your ultimate guide to understanding insects
Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!
Download the App for Free
Rectangle
Youth Habitat of Dark zebra swallowtail
Forests and Woodlands, Tropical Rainforests
Rectangle
Adult Habitat of Dark zebra swallowtail
Forests and Woodlands, Tropical Rainforests, Agricultural and Cultivated Areas
Rectangle
How Can You Attract Dark zebra swallowtail
For attracting dark zebra swallowtail, one could use plants like citrus or rue, which might serve as host plants for the larvae, depending on the local ecosystem.
Rectangle
Habitat Preferences of Dark zebra swallowtail Through Different Life Stages
The eggs of dark zebra swallowtail can be found on the underside of host plant leaves in tropical environments. As caterpillars, they are commonly located on or near their food sources, typically specific plants or leaves they consume. When they pupate, dark zebra swallowtail creates chrysalides attached to twigs or hidden within the foliage. Adults, being butterflies, are usually found in areas abundant with nectar-producing flowers for feeding. Observers looking for various stages should search distinct plants for eggs and caterpillars, leaf litter or foliage for chrysalides, and floral areas for adults.
Rectangle
How and Where Can You Find Dark zebra swallowtail at Different Life Stages
Egg Dark zebra swallowtail eggs are usually laid on the undersides of leaves of host plants, so inspecting these plants closely might reveal dark zebra swallowtail's tiny, spherical eggs.
Larva Dark zebra swallowtail caterpillars can often be found on or near their host plants. Look for chewed leaves and caterpillar frass (droppings) as indicators of their presence.
Pupal Dark zebra swallowtail pupae might be attached to plant stems or leaves, or found in leaf litter near the host plants. They can be camouflaged, so search carefully.
Adult Dark zebra swallowtail adults are butterflies that can be seen feeding on nectar from flowers, especially brightly colored and fragrant ones. They are also attracted to moist ground where they can drink water and absorb minerals.
Are Dark zebra swallowtail harmful?
Your Complete Pest Control Guide
Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.
Download the App for Free
Rectangle

Are Dark zebra swallowtail harmful to humans?

They are not a poisonous butterfly, but they have a special gland that secretes bad smells and chemicals.
Beneficial Effects of Dark zebra swallowtail
Discover the hidden benefits of insects
Explore how insects help as pollinators, pest predators, and biocontrol agents. From seed dispersal to decomposition, they play vital roles in our ecosystem.
Download the App for Free
Pollinator
Pollinator
Prefer Plant Type
Asteraceae
Pollination Behavior Reason
Eat Pollen Or Nectar
Dark zebra swallowtail is an active pollinator that is attracted by the bright colors and distinct shapes of Asteraceae flowers. While this insect seeks out pollen for sustenance, it inadvertently transfers pollen grains from one flower to another, aiding in plant reproduction.
Common Questions People Also Ask
Get Quick Insect Answers with a Snap
Snap a photo for instant insect ID and answers on bites, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safety tips!
Download the App for Free
More Insects that are Similar to Dark zebra swallowtail
White-crescent swallowtail
White-crescent swallowtail

Mimoides thymbraeus, the white-crescent swallowtail, is a species of butterfly in the family Papilionidae. It is found from Mexico to El Salvador and Honduras, where it is widespread and common.

Read More
Arrow
Chinese windmill
Chinese windmill

Adorned with wings that showcase a mesmerizing canvas of black and iridescent blue, chinese windmill flutters through temperate forests and grassland biomes. The undersides of its wings reveal a mottled pattern of grey and white, thought to offer camouflage among foliage. As a caterpillar, it is equally impressive with a specialized diet primarily consisting of Aristolochia plant species, but this diet diverges greatly once it transforms, with the adult preferring the nectar of a varied bouquet of flora.

Read More
Arrow
Common windmill
Common windmill

Length 110 to 140 mm Sexes alike Black and white above with prominent swallowtail Red bodied - tail has a red tip Forewings completely black above and below Hindwings crenulated deeply twice on each side of swallowtail. Large oblong white discal spot in 5 (both upperside and underside) and sometimes in 4. Upperside hindwing has irregular marginal red crescents in 1a, 2 and 3 and a small white spot in 4.

Read More
Arrow
White dragontail
White dragontail

A denizen of the Asian tropics, white dragontail presents a delicate, almost ethereal appearance with its translucid wings edged in a contrasting hue. These creatures undergo a remarkable transformation from voracious, leaf-munching larvae to nectar-sipping aerial acrobats, with adults often seen fluttering in sunlit clearings, partaking in the bounty of wildflowers.

Read More
Arrow
Green dragontail
Green dragontail

Characterized by a striking contrast of colors, green dragontail displays a remarkable wing pattern that enhances its visibility among the foliage. As an adult, it unfurls wings that serve both as a display to potential mates and as a warning to predators. The larval form of this creature exhibits an entirely different approach to survival, with a diet focused on certain host plants, which they consume voraciously to fuel their transformation into the elegant aerial adults.

Read More
Arrow
Common clubtail
Common clubtail

Adorned with wings that showcase a dramatic contrast of black and creamy-white, common clubtail features vibrant red and blue eye-catching markings which deter predators. The larvae are distinctly equipped with fleshy spines and feed on host plants, undergoing remarkable transformation to become nectar-imbibing adults, fluttering amongst flowering landscapes. This delicate dance of metamorphosis and vivid colors is a captivating spectacle of nature's artistry.

Read More
Arrow
Yellow Gorgon
Yellow Gorgon

Meandrusa payeni, the yellow gorgon, is a species of swallowtail found in parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia. It belongs to the hooked swallowtails genus, Meandrusa, of the family Papilionidae. It is also called the outlet sword or the sickle.

Read More
Arrow
Variable cattleheart
Variable cattleheart

The upper side of the wings is black with a row of red postmedian spots. The underside of the wings is also black with a row of pink and whitish spots.

Read More
Arrow
Other Popular Insects
Western honey bee
Western honey bee

Western honey bee(Apis mellifera) is the most common species of honeybee in the world. Among the first domesticated insects, its cultural and economic impact on humanity has been vast and far-reaching, providing honey, wax and its services as a pollinator. Western honey bee faces challenges worldwide, such as colony collapse disorder, and populations are thought to be decreasing.

Read More
Arrow
Monarch butterfly
Monarch butterfly

The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is the most recognizable butterfly in North America. It is best known for its appearance, but should be better known for the fact that it has a 3000-mile migration that takes the butterfly 4 generations to complete. Their diet is also a natural deterrent for predators, as they eat milkweed, a poison that induces vomiting.

Read More
Arrow
Japanese rhinoceros beetle
Japanese rhinoceros beetle

The japanese rhinoceros beetle (Trypoxylus dichotomus) is a massive beetle about the size of the palm of a hand. It's distinguished by its long Y-shaped horn, which it uses to fight other males with. It's a nocturnal bug that feeds on sap and sweet fruits. This species is sometimes kept as a pet due to its unique appearance and simple care requirements.

Read More
Arrow
Silkworm
Silkworm

The silken threads produced by silkworm during its larval stage have been highly coveted for millennia, manifesting as a luxurious fabric in human society. Remarkably, this creature has a singular diet, feeding exclusively on the leaves of its primary host plant from which it extracts the necessary nutrients to facilitate its transition into a non-feeding, winged adult.

Read More
Arrow
Menelaus blue morpho
Menelaus blue morpho

Menelaus blue morpho (Morpho menelaus) is a gorgeous butterfly with large, royal blue wings. Linnaeus named the genus Morpho the Aphrodite-Ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty for its extreme beauty. It is native to tropical rainforests. Though many butterfly gardens now cultivate them in captivity, there are still many people who never get a chance to see them.

Read More
Arrow
Atlas moth
Atlas moth

While the atlas moth (Attacus atlas) can't tell you where to find your country on the map, it does earn its name through other means. It is one of the largest moths in the world, with a wingspan that is far larger than its body, creating an abnormal comparison. In India, their silk is gathered in a non-commercial capacity and is considered to be more durable than the domestic silkworm.

Read More
Arrow
Flying peacock spider
Flying peacock spider

Both sexes reach about 5 mm in body length. Females and immatures of both sexes are brown but have color patterns by which they can be distinguished from related species. Also, the males dance to attract females.

Read More
Arrow
Multicolored asian ladybeetle
Multicolored asian ladybeetle

Often confused for the ladybug, multicolored asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is a separate species that, unlike the ladybug, is a household pest. It is considered particularly annoying for its habit of returning to places from which it is removed. One of the most variable species in the world, there are many different colors and patterns multicolored asian ladybeetle may display, making identification potentially difficult.

Read More
Arrow