Anise Swallowtails are abundant, common and found pretty much throughout all of Washington and Oregon. They can be found in almost any type of habitat, nectar on a wide range of blooms, have numerous host plants. If only they would land more often to be photographed, they might be a photographer’s dream butterfly. They certainly are photogenic.

Sparks Lake, Deschutes County, Oregon

44.02506, -121.72933 In the meadow between Soda Creek and the campground, at the north end of Sparks Lake.

July 9, 2023

Notes:

• P. zelicaon is smaller and darker than P. machaon
• Compare abdomen: black with narrow yellow stripe: zelicaon; yellow with narrow black stripes on top and side: machaon. Try to get photos of this in future.
• on the wing March to October

See P. zelicaon in Washington.