Battus philenor philenor host Aristolochia watsonii

This is Aristolochia watsonii--the principal larval hostplant of the pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor philenor) in Arizona.  Finding the plant can be somewhat of a challenge eventhough the butterflies can be more or less common.

Battus philenor philenor larva on Aristolochia watsonii

Pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor philenor) last instar larva on Arizona host Aristolochia watsonii.

Papilio bairdi host Artemisia dracunculus

The principal hostplant for Papilio bairdi (western black swallowtail) is Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon sage.)  It generally is montane and grows near rivers and along hillsides.  It's most distinctive, consistent character in identification is the sweet smell of the leaves. 

Tarragon sage is an aster; not an umbel.  As such, there are other asters that superficially look like A. dracunculus; but are not.  Again, you can end all confusion as to whether a certain aster is A. dracunculus through smell. 

Papilio bairdi have also been known to feed on Lomatium junceum and Lomatium grayi grayi.  There is little doubt that they will be found on other umbels.

Papilio bairdi on host Artemisia dracunculus

Papilio bairdi fifth instar larva on host Artemisia dracunculus.

Papilio bairdi on host Artemisia dracunculus

Closeup of Papilio bairdi last instar on host Artemisia dracunculus.

Papilio indra indra host Cymopterus terebinthinus calcareus

Cymopterus terebinthinus calcereus grows most commonly in rock slides near the mouths of Blacksmith Fork Canyon, Logan Canyon, Green Canyon and other canyons in Cache County, Utah. near Logan.  It is a documented larval hostplant of Papilio indra indra.

Papilio indra indra host Cymopterus terebinthinus calcareus

Another photo from Logan Canyon, Cache County, Utah.

Papilio indra indra host Cymopterus terebinthinus calcareus

Cymopterus terebinthinus calcareus growing amongst the rock slides of Blacksmith Fork Canyon, Cache County, Utah.

Papilio indra indra host Lomatium graveolens

Lomatium graveolens can be quite common growing towards the peaks of the higher mountains of the Wasatch Mountains in Northern Utah.  It also can be found along the Wasatch Plateau. 

Papilio indra indra on host Lomatium graveolens

Papilio indra indra 1st instar on host Lomatium graveolens.

Papilio indra minori host Cymopterus terebinthinus petraeus

Photo of Cymopterus terebinthinus petraeus--larval hostplant of Papilio indra minori in the SE part of Utah.

Papilio indra minori host Cymopterus terebinthinus petraeus closup

Closeup of Cymopterus terebinthinus petraeus.  These stalks are quite different than Cymopterus terebinthinus var. calcereus.

Papilio indra minori host Lomatium junceum

Papilio indra minori host Lomatium junceum.  Populations of the indra swallowtail use this host in the San Rafael Swell and San Rafael Swell Reef region of Central Utah.

Papilio indra minori host Lomatium junceum

Papilio indra host Lomatium grayi depauperatum

Photo of Lomatium grayi depauperatum.  This is the larval hostplant of Papilio indra UT West Desert segregate. 

Papilio indra host Lomatium grayi depauperatum

Papilio indra host Lomatium grayi depauperatum

Another photo of P. indra UT West Desert segregate host Lomatium grayi depauperatum.

Lomatium grayi depauperatum up close

Lomatium grayi depauperatum up close.

Papilio indra UT West Desert segregate

Papilio indra UT West Desert segregate 2nd instar on host Lomatium grayi var. depauperatum.

Papilio indra calcicola host Lomatium scabrum

Papilio indra calcicola host Lomatium scabrum.  This plant grows in the Mojave Desert Region of Southern Nevada as well as extreme SW Utah in Washington County and NW Arizona in Mohave County.

Papilio indra calcicola host Lomatium scabrum

Closeup of Lomatium scabrum.

Papilio indra calcicola host Lomatium scabrum

Plant growing in the rocks near Yellow Knolls, Washington County, Utah.

Papilio indra calcicola 1st instar on host Lomatium scabrum

Papilio zelicaon nitra host Lomatium grayi grayi

Anise Swallowtails in Northern Utah will use Lomatium grayi grayi; eventhough Papilio indra sometimes struggle using this host in the lab.

Papilio zelicaon nitra host Lomatium dissectum

One of the larval host plants of the Anise Swallowtail in Northern Utah is Lomatium dissectum.  Papilio indra larvae will refuse this parsley.

Papilio zelicaon nitra on host Lomatium dissectum

Papilio zelicaon nitra fifth instar on Lomatium dissectum--a parsley that grows somewhat common taking refuge under the scrub oaks near the foothills of the canyons of Northern Utah.

Papilio coloro host Thamnosma montana

Papilio coloro host turpentine broom (Thamnosma montana).  Feeding desert swallowtails all the way through on this host can sometimes be difficult as it grows in remote desert areas and doesnt' usually keep well in cuttings.  A great alternative is fennel.  (Foeniculum vulgare).

Papilio coloro on host Thamnosma montana

Papilio coloro fifth instar larva feeding on Thamnosma montana fruits.

Papilio eurymedon host Ceanothus velutinus

Photo of Ceanothus velutinus.  This mountain shrub not only is the larval host plant of Papilio eurymedon; but also it serves as a lab host for Nymphalis californica, Satyrium saepium, Incisalia augustinus, and Erynnis pacuvius.

Papilio eurymedon fourth instar larva

Pale swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) fourth instar larva on host Ceanothus velutinus.  This larva is resting on the ventral side of the leaf; but usually, they rest on the dorsal side.

Papilio multicaudatus host Prunus virginiana

Two-tailed swallowtail (Papilio multicaudatus) host plant choke cherry (Prunus virginiana).

Papilio multicaudatus on host Prunus virginiana

Two-tailed swallowtail (Papilio multicaudatus) fifth instar caterpillar rests on its "pad" on host plant choke cherry (Prunus virginiana).

Papilio rutulus rutulus host plant Salix fragilis

Tiger swallowtails (Papilio rutulus) feed on a variety of willows, cottonwoods, and aspens.  Here is just one species of willows that larvae will accept.

Papilio rutulus on host Populus fremontii

Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) fifth instar larva on host Populus fremontii.

Parnassius smintheus sayii host Sedum lanceolata

Parnassius smintheus sayi host stonecrop (Sedum lanceolata.)

Parnassius smintheus sayii on host Sedum lanceolata

Parnassius smintheus sayi fifth instar caterpillar feeding on host Sedum lanceolata. 

Parnassius clodius menetriesi host Dicentra uniflora

Here is a photo of the low-growing Dicentra uniflora; the larval host plant of Parnassius clodius menetriesii.