The giant swallowtail is the largest butterfly in North America. It is abundant through many parts of eastern North America; populations from western North America and down into Panama are now considered to belong to a different species, "Papilio rumiko".
Similar species: Moths And Butterflies
By Slowbutsteady
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Uploaded Aug 18, 2023.
comments (7)
1. The dark spot (within the yellow) on the dorsal surface of the forewing is small and contained within the yellow. With the Western Giant, this spot is usually larger and not defined within the yellow.
2. There are yellow marginal spots on the forewing. The Western Giant doesn't usually have these.
3. The inner black discal band on hindwing appears curved rather than straight, although this is really hard to see.
4. The thorax has yellow spots rather than a solid line.
These characteristics are variable and hybrids of the two species are thought to occur, esp. in Texas. So, this could be a hybrid. I'm not 100% sure, but the features that I mentioned above seem to favor the Eastern Giant (cresphontes). Posted 2 years ago