Wing span: 8.5-12 cm.
Flight time: July. Two flights, with a partial third, are reported elsewhere in its range.
Status: Southern stray.
Distinguishing features: This large black swallowtail is best distinguished by its upper hindwing that has a blue-green patch on top and pale green marginal spots.
Distribution and habitat: Records of this species are rare and generally date from 1876 to 1917. More recent observations have been made from Monona and Winneshiek counties.
Natural History: The preferred larval host, Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) is not known to occur in Iowa, although populations are recorded from adjacent counties in Missouri and Illinois. If this shrub were to be located in the state, it is possible that a resident colony of this butterfly might also be identified. Its larvae may also rarely utilize other shrubs that are native to Iowa, such as prickly ash and sassafras.
Record # | Date | Locale | State | Lat/Lon | Collected By | Count |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
228514 | 2018-05-28 | Turkey Run Wildlife Area, Lee County | Iowa | 40.558402 -91.679173 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
139999 | 2015-08-05 | Hickory Hills County Park | Iowa | 41.183474 -93.611749 | IBSN | 1 |
263926 | 2012-08-27 | Near Fairfield | Iowa | 41.050511 -92.023949 | Moni Hayne | 1 |
9245 | 2012-05-19 | Rees Park, Keokuk | Iowa | 40.3875 -91.4080556 | Tom Jantscher | 1 |
117095 | 2011-07-04 | Shimek State Forest, Donnellson Unit | Iowa | 40.643603 -91.67741 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
40337 | 2010-05-01 | Ohio County, Kentucky | Kentucky | Location Protected | Jourdan Yeckering | 1 |
110248 | 2010-04-23 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
228056 | 2010-04-23 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
110246 | 2009-06-13 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
110247 | 2009-06-13 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
227677 | 2009-06-13 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
227739 | 2009-06-13 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
227740 | 2009-06-13 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
40335 | 2006-05-29 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
40336 | 2006-05-29 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
241555 | 2004-08-15 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
40334 | 2004-07-04 | Leon's Farm, Ohio County | Kentucky | 37.42033 -86.77023 | Jim Durbin | 1 |
117096 | 1998-06-27 | Shimek State Forest, Donnellson Unit | Iowa | 40.643603 -91.67741 | Chris Edwards | 1 |
144209 | 1993-08-03 | Hwy | Kentucky | 36.7384 -85.20885 | Frank Olsen | 1 |
356681 | 1986-05-26 | Lake Michigan Shoreline | Michigan | 43.58299 -86.524018 | Kirk J. Larsen | 1 |
4632 | 1950-07-01 | Jefferson County | Iowa | 41.023636 -91.909927 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
4633 | 1950-07-01 | Monona County | Iowa | 42.001595 -95.983261 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
4634 | 1950-07-01 | Muscatine County | Iowa | 41.51569 -91.1353 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
4635 | 1950-07-01 | Scott County | Iowa | 41.63932 -90.639374 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
4636 | 1950-07-01 | Story County | Iowa | 42.104046 -93.500343 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |
4637 | 1950-07-01 | Winneshiek County | Iowa | 43.236259 -91.909927 | USGS - NPWRC | 1 |