Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes)

Local and fairly rare in NC, this species has been reported from scattered locations across the state. It is most often found along the immediate coast, especially on the barrier islands where its host plant, Toothache Tree (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) grows. Recent evidence suggests that this species is more appropriately placed in the genus Heraclides. It was formerly treated as Papilio cresphontes.
Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes)
Naples Botanical Garden Butterfly House, Collier Co., FL
8 Mar 2017

Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes)
Naples Botanical Garden Butterfly House, Collier Co., FL
8 Mar 2017
Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes)
Naples Botanical Garden Butterfly House, Collier Co., FL
8 Mar 2017

Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes)
Resaca de la Palma, Cameron Co., TX
3 May 2018

Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes)
Hidalgo Co., TX
17 Oct 2004
Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes)
Hidalgo Co., TX
17 Oct 2004

Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes)
Cameron Co., TX
14 Oct 2004

The caterpillar reportedly mimics bird droppings to make it less apetizing. (Works for me!)


Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes) Female Giant Swallowtail
New Hanover Co., NC
26 Aug 2006

Ovipositing on Toothache Tree (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis)


Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes) Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes)
Giant Swallowtail egg on
Toothache Tree (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis)
New Hanover Co., NC
26 Aug 2006
Giant Swallowtail egg detail
New Hanover Co., NC
26 Aug 2006

Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes)

Giant Swallowtails are notoriously challenging to photograph with a point-and-shoot style camera because they stay in constant motion while nectaring, fluttering their forewings for balance rather than perching.

Of all NC swallowtails that look dark above, Giant Swallowtails are the only ones that are primarily yellow below and have a yellow body.

New Hanover Co., NC
27 Aug 2005


Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) Giant Swallowtail (Heraclides cresphontes)
New Hanover Co., NC
27 Aug 2005

Parker Backstrom photographs a fluttering Giant Swallowtail.

New Hanover Co., NC
27 Aug 2005



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Created on ... June 2, 2005 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com