Table of Contents for Swallowtail Butterflies and Host Plants in Fresno, CA
The Fresno, CA metro area is bounded by Fresno County and located in central California. The city of Fresno is located in the San Joaquin Valley of California and is bounded by the Coast Range on the west and the Sierra Nevada Range on the east. Because of differences in elevation there are a lot of USDA Plant Hardiness zones in the county. The city of Fresno is located in zone 9b, but parts of the eastern county in the high mountains are in zone 5a. Most of the species discussed in this post are located in the eastern part of the county, largely because there is more natural area and host plants there.
Location of the Fresno, CA Metro Area
The Fresno, CA metro area (Fresno County), colored in red, is located in central California. For the purposes of this post we will be discussing those swallowtails that occur in Fresno County. Also note that Fresno County covers 5 plant hardiness zones and a lot of the species occur in the eastern part of the county.
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones in Fresno, CA
The Fresno, California metro area (Fresno County) is a large county and spans parts of 5 plant hardiness zones. The City of Fresno is located in zone 9b. Going east, the zones gradually decline to zone 5a largely depending on elevation. Going west the zones decline to zone 8b, again depending on elevation. When selecting plants in the City of Fresno you will want to get those that can handle temperatures as cold as +25F to be sure they will survive. Other places in the county will depend on your elevation.
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) and its host plants in Fresno, CA
Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor)
The pipevine swallowtail flies throughout the United States, except for the Pacific Northwest. In Fresno County, this species located to the east in the Sierra Nevada range.
The orange-brown eggs that are laid on the host plant. The black to brown to red caterpillar with orange markings comes out in the spring. They then overwinter as a pupa (Monroe and Wright 2017). In the spring and into the summer the adult butterflies start to fly. They have a wingspan of 2.5 in (6.4 cm) to 5 in (12.7 cm) inches and are black colored with white markings along the hindquarters.
Plants that Host the Pipevine Swallowtail
The Pipevine Swallowtail is generally hosted by members of the birthwort family (Aristolochiaceae). Only one species, Hartweg’s ginger (Asarum hartwegii), is located in the Fresno, CA area.
Giant Swallowtail (Papilo cresphontes) and its host plants in Fresno, CA
Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
The giant swallowtail flies throughout the United States and southeast Canada, except for the northwest. Beyond North America it ranges into Central America and the Caribbean Islands. It is the largest butterfly in North America (Wikipedia). It the Fresno area this butterfly is rare and is likely a stray from the south.
The giant swallowtail has brownish-orange eggs that are laid on the host plants. The caterpillars have five stages or instars before pupating, which takes about two weeks. The adult butterflies have a wingspans ranging from about 5.5 in (14 cm) to 7.5 in (19 cm) and are black and yellow colored.
Plants that Host the Giant Swallowtail
The giant swallowtail is hosted by members of the Rutaceae, of which there is species in the Fresno area:
- California Hoptree (Ptelea crenulata) — a native shrub to tree
Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) and its host plants in Fresno, CA
Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon)
The pale swallowtail flies in the western United States. In Fresno County, it is found in the Sierra Nevada range in the eastern part of the county.
The green eggs are laid on the leaves of the host plant. The caterpillars have two color variations, first green and then the last stage is brown. The brown chrysalis looks like bark to camouflage it (Wikipedia-Papilio eurymedon).
The black and cream colored adults have a wingspan of 3.5 in (8.9 cm) to 4.5 in (11.4 cm).
Plants that Host the Pale Swallowtail
The pale swallowtail utilizes members of the Buckthorn Family (Rhamnaceae) and the Rose Family (Rosaceae) as host plants. Some species in the Fresno, CA area include:
- Members of the Ceanothus genus (Buckbrush): shrubs
- California False Buckthorn (Frangula californica): a shrub to tree
- Red False Buckthorn (Frangula rubra): a shrub
- Cultivated Apple (Malus pumila): a tree
- Members of the Prunus genus (Cherries, Peach, and Almonds): shrubs and trees
- Holly-leaf Buckthorn (Rhamnus crocea): a shrub to tree
- Redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia): a shrub to tree
Indra Swallowtail (Papilio indra) and its host plants in Fresno, CA
Indra Swallowtail (Papilio indra)
The indra swallowtail flies in the western United States. This butterfly is found in the Sierra Nevada range in the eastern part of Fresno County.
The whitish-colored eggs are laid on the leaves of the host plant. The caterpillars are at first black and after five instars are pink with black striping. They then hibernate for the winter as a chrysalis.
The adults have a wingspan of 2.5 in (6.4 cm) to 3.5 in (7.6 cm) and are black and cream colored with two orange eyespots along the hindquarters. They have a single brood and fly from March to July.
Plants that Host the Indra Swallowtail
The indra swallowtail uses members of the carrot family (Apiaceae) as host plants. Some examples of carrot family members in Fresno include:
- Turpentine Spring-Parsley (Cymopterus terebinthinus): a herbaceous plant
- Members of the Lomatium genus (Desert-Parsley): herbaceous plants
- Mountain Sweet-Cicely (Osmorhiza berteroi): a herbaceous plant
- Sierran Black-Snakeroot (Sanicula graveolens): a herbacous plant
- Hemlock Water-Parsnip (Sium suave): a herbaceous plant
- Southern Umbrella-Wort (Tauschia arguta): a herbaceous plant
- Hartweg’s Umbrella-Wort (Tauschia hartwegii): a herbaceus plant
Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilo multicaudata) and its host plants in Fresno, CA
Two-tailed Swallowtail (Papilio multicaudata)
The two-tailed swallowtail flies in the western United States and Central America. This butterfly is found in Sierra Nevada range in the eastern part of Fresno County.
The yellowish eggs are laid singly on the host plants. The caterpillars starts out black and white and through several instars becomes orange to green. The brownish chrysalis helps camouflage it on the surface it is placed.
The adults have a wingspan of 3 in (7.6 cm) to 6.5 in (16.5 cm), are yellow and black colored and is similar to the tiger swallowtails. They from other other butterflies, with thinner stripes and having two tails on the hindwing, hence the name.
Plants that Host the Two-tailed Swallowtail
The two-tailed swallowtail is somewhat of a generalist and utilizes members of the Rue Family (Rutaceae), Rose Family (Rosaceae), and Olive Family (Oleaceae) as hosts. Some species in these families in the Fresno, CA area include:
- Two-Petal Ash (Fraxinus dipetala): a shrub to tree
- Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia): a shrub to tree
- Members of the Prunus genus (Cherries, Peach, and Almond): shrubs and trees
- California Hoptree (Ptelea crenulata): a shrub to tree
Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) and its host plants in Fresno, CA
Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
The western tiger swallowtail flies in the western United States and northern Mexico. It is the western counterpart to the eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) in the eastern United States. This butterfly is generally found throughout Fresno County except it may be rare in the western parts.
The green eggs are laid on the the host plants. The caterpillar when it first comes out resembles a bird dropping but then becomes orange and green with age. The chrysalis looks like wood to camouflage it.
The adults have a wingspan of 3 in (7.6 cm) to 4 in (10.1 cm) and are yellow with black stripes, similar to the eastern tiger swallowtail. Generally there are one to two broods a year.
Plants that Host the Western Tiger Swallowtail
The western tiger swallowtail, like its eastern counterpart, is a generalist and feeds on numerous shrubs and trees. Some species in the Fresno, CA area include:
- Speckled Alder (Alnus incana): a shrub to tree
- Oregon Ash (Fraxinus latifolia): a tree
- Velvet Ash (Fraxinus velutina): a tree
- Cultivated Apple (Malus pumila): an introduced tree
- California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa): a tree
- Holly-leaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia): a shrub to tree
- Cottonwood (Populus deltoides): a tree
- Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides): a tree
Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon) and its host plants in Fresno, CA
Anise Swallowtail (Papilio zelicaon)
The anise swallowtail flies in the western United States. This swallowtail is found in Fresno and the eastern parts of the county in the Sierra Nevada range.
The greenish eggs are laid on the the host plants. During the first two instars the caterpillars are dark brown but later they become more green. They then end with a green, black, and yellow color in the last instar (see image). The chrysalis has the appearance of a branch (Wikipedia-Papilio zelicaon) of the host plant and is generally light green to brown (butterfly identification).
The adults have a wingspan of 2 in (5 cm) to 3 in (7.6 cm) and are black and yellow with blue on the hindquarters and a red eyespot in the middle hindquarter. This species essentially looks like the eastern tiger swallowtail with the vertical stripes and is smaller (butterfly identification).
Plants that Host the Anise Swallowtail
The anise swallowtail utilizes members of the Carrot Family (Apiaceae) as host plants. Some species in the Fresno, CA area include:
- Brewer’s Angelica (Angelica breweri): a herbaceous plant
- Turpentine Spring-Parsley (Cymopterus terebinthinus): a herbaceous plant
- Members of the Lomatium genus (Desert-Parsley): herbaceous plants
- Mountain Sweet-Cicely (Osmorhiza berteroi): a herbaceous plant
- Sierran Black-Snakeroot (Sanicula graveolens): a herbacous plant
- Hemlock Water-Parsnip (Sium suave): a herbaceous plant
- Southern Umbrella-Wort (Tauschia arguta): a herbaceous plant
- Hartweg’s Umbrella-Wort (Tauschia hartwegii): a herbaceus plant
Clodius Parnassian (Parnassius clodius) and its host plants in Fresno, CA
Clodius Parnassian (Parnassius clodius)
The clodius parnassian flies in the western United States and southwestern Canada. This is the only parnassian butterfly that is restricted entirely to North America (Pyle 1981).
The turban shaped eggs (Elrod and Maley 1906) are laid on or near the host plants and emerge the next year (McCorkle and Hammond 1985). The caterpillars are of two colorations depending on habitat. In alpine areas they are gray brown, to blend in with rocks. They can be black with yellow spots in rain-forests (McCorkle and Hammond 1985). The black and yellow variant mimics the color of a millipede that is distasteful (McCorkle and Hammond 1985). The caterpillar then pupates in a few weeks to emerge in the late spring or summer as an adult.
The adults have a wingspan of 2.25 in (5.7 cm) to 3.0 in (7.6 cm) and are white colored with black checkered marks and scattered red spots.
Plants that Host the Clodius Parnassian
The clodius parnassian utilizes members of the Dicentra and Corydalis genera as host plants (McCorkle and Hammond 1985). Some species in these genera in the Fresno, CA area include:
- Pacific Bleedinghearts (Dicentra formosa): a herbaceous plant
- Long-horn Steer’s Head (Dicentra uniflora): a herbaceous plant
Sierra Nevada Parnassian (Parnassius smintheus behrii) and its host plants in Fresno, CA
Sierra Nevada Parnassian (Parnassius smintheus behrii)
The Sierra Nevada parnassian flies in the western United States. This butterfly flies in the eastern part of Fresno County in the Sierra Nevade range in high elevation areas. It may in the future be affected by climate change as temparatures increase (CCGP-Parnassius behrii) and is considered to be a rare species (Butterflies of California).
The white eggs are laid nearby to the host plants and they overwinter as eggs. The caterpillar is black at first, but then develops a row of yellow spots (Miller and Hammond 2003). The pupa are brownish in color.
The adults have a wingspan of 1.9 in (4.8 cm) to 2.1 in (7.6 cm) and are whitish in color with black and orange spots. It flies from July to August.
This butterfly was once considered to be a separate species, but is now considered to be a subspecies of the rocky mountain parnassian (Parnassius smintheus) (Zhang, et al 2022). This subspecies is essentially a southern variant of the Rocky Mountain parnassian.
Plants that Host the Sierra Nevada Parnassian
The Sierra Nevada parnassian utilizes members of the Stonecrop (Sedum) genus as host plants. Some species in the Fresno, CA area include:
- Lance-leaf Stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum): a herbaceous plant
- Sierran Stonecrop (Sedum obtusatum): a herbaceous plant
- Coast Range Stonecrop (Sedum radiatum): a herbaceous plant
- Broad-leaf Stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium): a herbacous plant
- Worm-leaf Stonecrop (Sedum stenopetalum): a herbaceous plant
Nectar Plants to Consider Putting in Your Garden
While the swallowtails need certain species of plants to use as hosts, the adults also need nectar plants to visit in order get nourishment. Nectar plants can also help other insects such as bees. Some common nectar plants that can be grown in the Fresno, CA area include:
- Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) — Also benefits the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
- Beggarticks (Bidens spp.)
- Sunflower (Helianthus spp.)
- Hawkweed (Hieracium spp.)
- Coneflowers (Rudbeckia spp.)
- Stonecrops (Sedum spp.): for the Sierra Nevada Parnassian
- Goldenrods (Solidago spp.)
- Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much land do I need to start a butterfly garden?
Every plant that you can grow can make a difference for visitors to your garden, especially in urban areas. Potted plants are also useful en masse for pollinators. When planting your garden, make sure you plant both the host plants and nectar plants for the adults to feed on.
Where should I get my plants?
For pollinators, it is best to have native plant species. The insects will be used to these plants more than ones from other places. Be sure you get your plants from a reputable nursery does not use neocontinids that would harm visitors to your garden.
Are there gardens near me, where I can see an example of a butterfly garden?
There are several gardens in the Fresno Area that can be visited in order to get ideas for your Butterfly Garden. These include the:
Clovis Botanical Garden: a garden in Clovis, CA that has a number of different demonstration gardens.
Garden of the Sun Demonstration Garden: a garden planted by the Master Gardeners of Fresno County that has a number of demonstration gardens.
Books where you can find out more about Butterfly Gardening in the Fresno, CA Area
- Daniels, Jaret C. 2023. Garden Bugs & Insects of California: Identify Pollinators, Pests, and Other Garden Visitors — Adventure Quick Guides. Adventure Publications. 36 pp.
- Ellas, Peyton. 2018. Gardening with California Native Plants Inland, Foothill, and Central Valley Gardens. Bookstand Publishing. 176 pp.
- Emery, Dara E. 2021. Seed Propagation of Native California Plants. Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. 144 pp.
- Holmes, Roger and Lance Walheim. 2023. California Home Landscaping, Fourth Edition – 48 Landscape Designs 200+ Plants & Flowers Best Suited to the Region. Fox Chapel Publishing. 232 pp.
- Keator, Glenn and Alrie Middlebrook. 2007. Designing California Native Gardens: The Plant Community Approach to Artful, Ecological Gardens. University of California Press. 366 pp.
- Lowry, Judith Larner. 2007. The Landscaping Ideas of Jays: A Natural History of the Backyard Restoration Garden. University of California Press. 316 pp.
- Miller, George Oxford. 2022. Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees & Butterflies. Northern California – Nature – Friendly Gardens. Adventure Publications. 276 pp.
- Miller, George Oxford. 2022. Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees & Butterflies. Southern California – Nature – Friendly Gardens. Adventure Publications. 276 pp.
- Schmidt, Marjorie G., Katherine L. Greenberg, and Beth D. Merrick. 2012. Growing California Native Plants. University of California Press. 296 pp.
- Smith, Nevin M. 2006. Native Treasures: Gardening with the Plants of California. University of California Press. 272 pp.
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References
- Elrod, Morton J. and Frances Inez Maley. 1906. The butterflies of Montana: with keys for determination of species. (Missoula, MT: University of Montana). Bulletin no. 30, series 10.
- McCorkle, David V. and Paul C. Hammond. 1985. Observations on the Biology of Parnassius clodius (Papilionidae) in the Pacific Northwest. Journal of the Lepidopterists Society 39(3): 156-162.
- Miller, J.C. and Paul C. Hammond. 2003. Lepidoptera of the Pacific Northwest: caterpillars and adults. USDA Forest Service Series 2003-03.
- Pyle, Robert Michael. 1981. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf).
- Zhang, Jing, Qian Cong, Jinhui Shen, Leina Shen, Riley J. Gott, Pierre Boyer, Crispin S. Guppy, Steve Kohler, Gerardo Lamas, Paul A. Opler, and Nick V. Grishin. 2022. Taxonomic discoveries enabled by genomic analysis of butterflies. The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey 10(7): 1-60.
