Pale Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon
Large pale swallowtail with cream-white wings, black bands, and blue hindwing spots. Caterpillars feed on wild cherry and plum. Spring emerger; adults attracted to manzanita and native flowering shrubs.
Plants that support Pale Swallowtail
33 plants
Bitter Cherry
Prunus emarginata
tree
Larval host plant for early spring broods
Bleeding-heart
Dicentra formosa
perennial herb
Caterpillar food plant in spring months
Blue Witch
Solanum umbelliferum
shrub
Host plant for caterpillar development spring-early summer
Bog Orchid
Platanthera dilatata
perennial herb
Adult nectar source during mid-summer peak bloom
Buckbrush
Ceanothus cuneatus var. cuneatus
shrub
larval host plant, caterpillars feed on new growth
California Coffeeberry
Frangula californica
shrub
Primary larval host plant for pale swallowtail in California, eggs laid Apr-May
California Flannel Bush
Fremontodendron californicum
shrub
Host plant for caterpillar development in chaparral
California Manroot
Marah fabacea
vine
Caterpillars utilize vine foliage as larval host plant
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
annual
Spring and early summer adult foraging (Feb-Jun)
California Prickly Phlox
Linanthus californicus
perennial herb
early spring larval development on young foliage
California Spikenard
Aralia californica
perennial herb
larvae feed on Aralia foliage during spring-summer development
California Wild Rose
Rosa californica
shrub
Larval host plant; caterpillars feed Apr-Jun
Coast Larkspur
Delphinium decorum subsp. decorum
annual
Spring-summer adult foraging
Cobwebby Thistle
Cirsium occidentale var. venustum
annual
Larvae feed on thistle foliage
Common Woolly Sunflower
Eriophyllum lanatum var. achilleoides
perennial herb
Adult nectar source May-Jul
Hollyleaf Buckthorn
Rhamnus crocea
shrub
Secondary host plant; larvae feed on new growth
Hollyleaf cherry
Prunus ilicifolia
tree
larvae feed on new growth May-July
Ithuriel's Spear
Triteleia laxa
geophyte
Spring-early summer nectar source Apr-Jun
Leopard Lily
Lilium pardalinum subsp. pardalinum
geophyte
Caterpillars utilize lily plants as host during development
Monkeyflower (Scarlet)
Erythranthe cardinalis
perennial herb
Adult butterfly foraging during bloom season; important nectar resource
Ninebark
Physocarpus capitatus
shrub
Larval host plant; caterpillars feed on ninebark foliage
Pacific Poison Oak
Toxicodendron diversilobum
shrub
Alternate larval host plant; spring emergence
Palmer's Live-for-ever
Dudleya palmeri
perennial herb
Larval host plant; caterpillars feed on succulent foliage in spring
Royal Larkspur
Delphinium variegatum subsp. variegatum
perennial herb
Larval food plant for early season caterpillars
Scarlet Bugler
Penstemon centranthifolius
perennial herb
spring adult nectar source
Southern Humboldt Lily
Lilium humboldtii var. ocellatum
perennial herb
Caterpillars utilize lily leaves as food source during bloom season
Splendid Mariposa Lily
Calochortus splendens
geophyte
Spring/early summer adults visiting flowers
Western Azalea
Rhododendron occidentale
shrub
Larval host plant, caterpillars feed on foliage May-June
Western Redbud
Cercis occidentalis
tree
Spring brood adults forage on redbud blooms March-May
Western goldenrod
Euthamia occidentalis
perennial herb
Adult butterfly nectars on goldenrod during flight period