Victorine Swallowtail (Papilio victorinus Doubleday)
Wing span: 3 3/4 - 4 3/8 inches (9.5 - 11 cm).
Identification: Wings mostly black; no tails on hindwings. Underside of male hindwing with marginal and postmedian bands of red spots. Two female forms: one resembles male, the other has wide green band on upper hindwing.
Life history: Eggs are laid singly; caterpillars resemble bird droppings. Chrysalids overwinter and look like a piece of wood.
Flight: Several flights from January-November.
Caterpillar hosts: Avocado tree (Persea americana).
Adult food: Flower nectar including Lantana and Impatiens.
Habitat: Mid-elevation moist-wet tropical forests.
Range: El Salvador north into Mexico. An infrequent stray into south Texas.
