Oregon Swallowtail
Encyclopedia
The Oregon Swallowtail (Papilio oregonius, sometimes classified as Papilio machaon oregonius or Papilio bairdii oregonius) is a species of swallowtail butterfly
native to the U.S. state
s of Oregon
, Washington, and Idaho
and south-central British Columbia
in Canada
. In 1976, it became one of the first four butterflies that the United States Postal Service
placed on a U.S. stamp.
The Oregon Swallowtail was declared the state insect of Oregon
in 1979 by the Legislative Assembly
.
. The yellow markings on the wings of the Oregon Swallowtail are also brighter than the common Swallowtail. It has a tail characteristic of all swallowtail butterflies. The caterpillar is black with yellow markings.
It reproduces twice a year, and can be seen flying from April to September. The butterflies seen toward the beginning of the year are lighter in color than those seen later and blend well with the color of early plants.
, eastern Washington and Oregon, to Idaho
and western Montana
, primarily in the lower sagebrush
canyons of the Columbia River
and many of its tributaries. In its caterpillar
(larva) stage, it feeds on tarragon sagebrush. As an adult, it eats flower nectar, preferring thistle
s, balsamroot
, and phlox
. Chrysalids of this species can overwinter.
A recommended viewing spot is along the banks of the Columbia River at Vantage, Washington
, where Interstate 90
crosses the river.
released sets of four 13-cent stamps illustrating American butterflies, including the Oregon Swallowtail. Shortly thereafter, the butterfly was chosen as Oregon's state insect.
Swallowtail butterfly
Swallowtail butterflies are large, colorful butterflies that form the family Papilionidae. There are over 550 species, and though the majority are tropical, members of the family are found on all continents except Antarctica...
native to the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
s of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, Washington, and Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
and south-central British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In 1976, it became one of the first four butterflies that the United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
placed on a U.S. stamp.
The Oregon Swallowtail was declared the state insect of Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
in 1979 by the Legislative Assembly
Oregon Legislative Assembly
The Oregon Legislative Assembly is the state legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. The Legislative Assembly is bicameral, consisting of an upper and lower house: the Senate, whose 30 members are elected to serve four-year terms; and the House of Representatives, with 60 members elected to...
.
Description
The adult Oregon Swallowtail has a yellow abdomen with black lines. It has a wingspan of 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) to 4 inches (10.2 cm). Its wings have concave spots that are scalloped inwards with a reddish-orange eyespot along the lower border, similar to, but smaller than, the eyespot of the common Old World SwallowtailOld World Swallowtail
The Old World Swallowtail is a butterfly of the family Papilionidae. The butterfly is also known as the Common Yellow Swallowtail or simply the Swallowtail...
. The yellow markings on the wings of the Oregon Swallowtail are also brighter than the common Swallowtail. It has a tail characteristic of all swallowtail butterflies. The caterpillar is black with yellow markings.
It reproduces twice a year, and can be seen flying from April to September. The butterflies seen toward the beginning of the year are lighter in color than those seen later and blend well with the color of early plants.
Range and habitat
The range of the Oregon Swallowtail is from southern British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, eastern Washington and Oregon, to Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
and western Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, primarily in the lower sagebrush
Sagebrush
Sagebrush is a common name of a number of shrubby plant species in the genus Artemisia native to western North America;Or, the sagebrush steppe ecoregion, having one or more kinds of sagebrush, bunchgrasses and others;...
canyons of the Columbia River
Columbia River
The Columbia River is the largest river in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The river rises in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, Canada, flows northwest and then south into the U.S. state of Washington, then turns west to form most of the border between Washington and the state...
and many of its tributaries. In its caterpillar
Caterpillar
Caterpillars are the larval form of members of the order Lepidoptera . They are mostly herbivorous in food habit, although some species are insectivorous. Caterpillars are voracious feeders and many of them are considered to be pests in agriculture...
(larva) stage, it feeds on tarragon sagebrush. As an adult, it eats flower nectar, preferring thistle
Thistle
Thistle is the common name of a group of flowering plants characterised by leaves with sharp prickles on the margins, mostly in the family Asteraceae. Prickles often occur all over the plant – on surfaces such as those of the stem and flat parts of leaves. These are an adaptation that protects the...
s, balsamroot
Balsamorhiza
Balsamorhiza is a genus of plants in the sunflower family known commonly as balsamroots. These are perennials with fleshy taproots and caudices bearing erect stems and large, basal leaves. Atop the tall stems are showy yellow sunflower-like blooms. Balsamroots are native to western North America...
, and phlox
Phlox
Phlox is a genus of 67 species of perennial and annual plants found mostly in North America in diverse habitats from alpine tundra to open woodland and prairie. Some flower in spring, others in summer and autumn....
. Chrysalids of this species can overwinter.
A recommended viewing spot is along the banks of the Columbia River at Vantage, Washington
Vantage, Washington
Vantage is a census-designated place in Kittitas County, Washington, United States. The population was 70 at the 2000 census.-History:The area around Vantage has been occupied by the Wanapum Native Americans since prehistory. A number of well-preserved rock-paintings have been found on the cliff...
, where Interstate 90
Interstate 90
Interstate 90 is the longest Interstate Highway in the United States at . It is the northernmost coast-to-coast interstate, and parallels US 20 for the most part. Its western terminus is in Seattle, at Edgar Martinez Drive S. near Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field, and its eastern terminus is in...
crosses the river.
U.S. Postal Service stamp
On June 6, 1977, the United States Postal ServiceUnited States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
released sets of four 13-cent stamps illustrating American butterflies, including the Oregon Swallowtail. Shortly thereafter, the butterfly was chosen as Oregon's state insect.