Finding Utah Butterflies-->Two Tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudatus pusillus)

Overview:

Two Tailed Swallowtail butterflies are large and gorgeous and can occasioanlly be found patrolling neighborhoods that have ash trees (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) growing along the street. These same ash trees serve as the larval host plant for this butterfly. Adults appear on the wing from mid-May through July with a few fresh adults appearing for a small second flight in September. Although finding adults of the Two-Tailed Swallowtail is somewhat inconsistent in our cities, males can usually be found with much more regularity cruising our canyons and ravines in May and June. Caterpillars can be found on choke cherry (Prunus virginiana) from June through August in the mountains.

Note: To leverage the next section and fly to specific locations, you need to install Google Earth.

Specific Localities:

Slide Canyon, Provo, Utah County, Utah.  N40 14'35.09" W111 37'28.13" or click here.
Lambs Canyon, Salt Lake County, Utah. N40 44'4.36" W111 40'13.04" or click here.
Mueller Park, Bountiful, Davis County, Utah. N40 51'41.06" W111 49'51.61" or click here.
Taylor Canyon, Ogden, Weber County, Utah. N41 12'55.88" W111 55'34.51" or click here.
Blacksmith Fork Canyon, Leatham Hollow, Cache County, Utah. N41 38'34.20" W111 42'23.40" or click here.

Flight Periods:

Adult Two Tailed Swallowtails can be found from May to June in the valley floor and at low elevation canyons and from July to August at higher elevations. Sometimes you can find a few fresh adults (partical second brood) in September in the valley floor. 

Raising Caterpillars Resources:

Finding Two-Tailed Swallowtail caterpillars requires some searching. The most productive way to find Two-Tailed Swallowtails (ssp. pusillus) is to look on leaves of isolated choke cherry trees growing along the sides of the road. Larger caterpillars silk the leaves they rest on creating a conspicuous pad.

Raising Butterflies: http://www.raisingbutterflies.org/papilio-multicaudata-pusillus/  

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