The Long-tail Spangle Swallowtail is a black swallowtail from Japan, Korea, and China whose hindwing tails are among the longest in the swallowtail family. Its slender wings closely resemble those of a toxic relative, the Chinese windmill (Byasa alcinous), which is thought to be mimicry. It does not live in the United States.
Appearance
- Appearance
- Wingspan about 3.5–4.7 in (9–12 cm); summer adults are larger than spring ones. Wings are black with wavy edges, a row of small red spots along the hindwing edge, and a red eyespot near the inner corner. Males have a pale band where the forewing overlaps the hindwing.
- Seasonal forms
- Two broods a year in its native range: a spring form (April–June) and a larger summer form (July–August).
Where it lives
- Typical habitats
- Mountain valleys
- Forest edges
- Range
- Native to Japan, Korea, and mainland China. It is not found in North America.
- Preferred conditions
- Lives mainly in hilly and mountain forests, especially along streams in valleys.
Behavior
- Activity
- In Japan, males often gather on damp ground in summer to drink, and in fall adults visit flowers quickly one after another. Females fly low during the day and lay eggs one at a time on leaves.
- Overwintering
- Spends the winter as a pupa, which can be green or gray-brown.
Life cycle
- Larva
- Young caterpillars look like bird droppings; older ones turn bright green.
- Caterpillar food plants
- Caterpillars eat plants of the citrus family (Rutaceae), including Japanese orixa, trifoliate orange, and prickly ash relatives.
Conservation
- IUCN Red List
- NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
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