Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) is in the Swallowtails and Parnassians family (Papilionidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 13,292 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Pale Swallowtail: observations by month (U.S.)
About Pale Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon, the pale swallowtail or pallid swallowtail, is a relatively common swallowtail butterfly found throughout much of the western North America. It is found on the Pacific coast from northern Baja California to southernmost British Columbia, and inland to New Mexico and the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is present from the coast to western Montana, and from Wyoming to northern New Mexico. It is absent from most of Nevada and western Utah. It...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Pale Swallowtail by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 8,801 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Washington | 1,476 | June | May–Jul |
| Oregon | 1,318 | June | May–Jul |
| Colorado | 580 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Idaho | 515 | June | May–Jul |
| Montana | 244 | June | May–Jul |
| Wyoming | 117 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Utah | 110 | June | May–Jun |
| Nevada | 72 | June | Jun–Jul |
| New Mexico | 48 | June | May–Jul |
| South Dakota | 11 | June | Jun–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related butterflies (Swallowtails and Parnassians)
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Pipevine Swallowtail
Black Swallowtail
Spicebush Swallowtail
Eastern Giant Swallowtail
Western Tiger Swallowtail
Zebra Swallowtail
Anise Swallowtail
Photography tips
- Butterflies are sluggish on cool mornings — the best time for close approaches.
- Keep the sensor parallel to the wings for edge-to-edge sharpness.
- Nectar plants in bloom are reliable places to wait.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Pale Swallowtail?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from May to July.
Where is Pale Swallowtail most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Washington, Oregon.