Eurytides marcellus

You’ll spot Zebra Swallowtails, one of North Carolina's most striking butterflies, along stream bottoms and moist woodlands in early spring. The bold black and white stripes and long "tails" are species characteristics, along with a low flight pattern and rapid wingbeats. If you see this flying jewel, you know that pawpaws are nearby. Females lay eggs on only two species of plants in this area—pawpaw and dwarf pawpaw—the latter being used infrequently.

Cool Links:

Zebra Swallowtail page - General natural history information with photos and descriptions of life stages.

Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) - great close-up photos of adult butterflies, including one "puddling" party at Pettigrew State Park. Photographer Jeffrey Pippin also hosts an extensive collection of N.C. butterfly and other nature photos.

Zebra Swallowtail Crochet Afghan Square - A free chart for the crafty Lepidopterists among you. Part of a series of butterfly crochet charts.

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photo: Mike Dunn