| Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) Cramer, [1777] |
| Synonyms: Heraclides cresphontes, Papilio cresphontes rumiko, Papilio rumiko (in part), Eastern Giant Swallowtail |
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Papilio cresphontes is found in the eastern and southern United States, southwestern Ontario (Canada), throughout Central America to Colombia, and in the Greater Antilles. If P. rumiko is a valid species, then P. cresphontes is confined to North America. The difference between the two is negligible, at a subspecies level at most. I find that Giant Swallowtails from the Lower Rio Grande Valley (see images below), i.e., within the supposed range of P. rumiko, are identical to P. cresphontes from more northern latitudes. P. cresphontes occurs along forest edges in deciduous forests, shrublands, and in citrus orchards. The caterpillar feeds on leaves of plants in the citrus family (Rutaceae); adults take nectar from a variety of flowers. In the northern and central United States and in Canada this species flies between May and October, and from March in south Texas.
