Habitat: The Anise Swallowtail can be found throughout Alberta and depending on the weather, out of the pupa stage as early as late April continuing on until mid-August. It is primarily a forest butterfly but can sometimes be found in the prairies and in alpine regions.
Description: This butterfly comes in two colour forms, the typical yellow colour and a black version. The best way to distinguish this butterfly from other Swallowtails is the round eye spot that can be found on the red patch of the hind wing.
Size: 65-80 mm
Diet: This butterfly loves dandelions and the caterpillars eat solely from the carrot family like fennel and anise. Hence the name.
Fun Facts: In the first half of their larval stage, the larva look just like bird droppings. Now that’s camouflage!
Source:
Acorn, John. Butterflies of Alberta. Edmonton: Lone Pine Publishing, 1993. Print
Mitchell, Robert, and Herbert S. Zim. Butterflies and Moths. Racine: Western Publishing Company Inc.,1987. Print