The Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly (Eurytides marcellus) is a captivating and distinctive species known for its striking appearance and fascinating life cycle. Native to North America, this butterfly is easily recognized by its elongated wings adorned with black and white stripes, resembling the pattern of a zebra. Its elegance is not just limited to its appearance but extends to its behaviors, ecological interactions, and adaptations.
The life cycle of the Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly comprises four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. The cycle begins when a female lays eggs singly on the leaves of the pawpaw tree (Asimina spp.), the primary host plant for this species. The eggs hatch into caterpillars, which are initially green and mimic the appearance of the pawpaw leaves. As they grow, the caterpillars undergo several molts, during which their coloration may change to include yellow and black bands.
Late instar caterpillar of the Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) found at Myron and Sonya Glassberg Family Conservation Area in Jefferson County, Missouri.
Pawpaws contain toxic secondary chemicals called acetogenins that the developing swallowtail caterpillars sequester and which persist in the tissues and wings of adults, providing effective protection against most predators.
A Thousand Acres of Silphiums 