Description:2 5/8-3 1/2" (67-89 mm). Black to blue-black above with blue cloud on outer hind wing (more blue on female). Small cream-yellow spots and chevrons rim wings above and below (larger on male). Bright orange eyespot with round, black-centered pupil at corner of hind wing toward body. Sometimes band of yellow spots across outer third of wings inside row of blue patches, more commonly present or enlarged on male. No yellow stripes on thorax.
This strikingly beautiful dark butterfly has 2 or 3 flights (broods) in February through November, depending on latitude. Late spring, midsummer, and early autumn. Egg yellow. The attractive mature caterpillar, is about 2" (51 mm) long and is white to leaf-green with black bands on each segment broken by yellow or red-orange spots. Chrysalis is a woodlike brown or leaf-green and will overwinter. Host plants are members of carrot family, (Carrot, Parsley, Queen Anne Lace, etc), hence the name “Carrot Worm” and as well as some members of the citrus family.
Eastern Black Swallowtail
Papilio polyxenes
