Appearance
One of the giant swallowtail's most notable features is its size. Females have an average wingspan of 5.5 in, and up to 6.9 in, while males' average is 5.8 in, and up to 7.4 in.The wings are black with a horizontal yellow line across the forewings, and a diagonal yellow line across the hindwing. The underside of the wings is yellow with accents of black. A small patch of red on the ventral wing allows for distinction from the similar-looking Schaus' swallowtail.
Behavior
Larvae have many adaptations to protect themselves from predators.
Habitat
In the United States, "P. cresphontes" mostly inhabit deciduous forest and citrus orchards. They are only capable of overwintering in Florida and the deep South.
Reproduction
Females lay eggs on the tops of the leaves of one of their preferred host plants. This is because the first larval instars are unable to move from plant to plant, so the mother must select an appropriate plant to support them. One egg is lain at a time, as opposed to in clutches. The small egg is brownish colored, but appears more orange due to a special orange colored secretion.
Food
In specific local subpopulations, it was found that giant swallowtail caterpillars do better on their local host plant than on other giant swallowtail host plants. The local host caused the larva to develop faster than other plants that were also edible to the larva. However, this feeding specialization hypothesis has not been tested in the species as a whole beyond these three regions.References:
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