Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) is in the Swallowtails and Parnassians family (Papilionidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 24,964 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
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 Zebra Swallowtail: observations by month (U.S.)
About Zebra Swallowtail
Protographium marcellus, the zebra swallowtail, (formerly listed under genera Eurytides, Iphiclides, Graphium and Papilio by some authorities) is a swallowtail butterfly native to the eastern United States and southeast Canada. Its distinctive wing shape and long tails make it easy to identify, and its black-and-white-striped pattern is reminiscent of a zebra. The butterflies are closely associated with pawpaws, and are rarely found far from these trees. The green or black caterpillars feed on the leaves of...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Zebra Swallowtail by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 3,986 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Florida | 3,525 | March | Mar–Oct |
| Maryland | 3,493 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Ohio | 1,801 | July | Apr–Aug |
| Missouri | 1,565 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Tennessee | 1,543 | April | Mar–Jul |
| Kentucky | 1,215 | April | Apr–Jul |
| Arkansas | 1,124 | April | Mar–Jun |
| North Carolina | 1,099 | June | Mar–Aug |
| Illinois | 701 | April | Apr–Jul |
| West Virginia | 635 | June | Apr–Aug |
| Alabama | 567 | April | Mar–Aug |
| Georgia | 556 | April | Mar–Jul |
| Texas | 554 | March | Mar–May |
| Indiana | 481 | June | Apr–Aug |
| South Carolina | 453 | March | Mar–Aug |
| Pennsylvania | 444 | July | Apr–Aug |
| Kansas | 339 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Louisiana | 242 | May | Mar–Aug |
| Mississippi | 239 | May | Mar–Jun |
| District of Columbia | 115 | July | Jun–Aug |
| Nebraska | 79 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Oklahoma | 75 | June | Apr–Jun |
| Delaware | 74 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Iowa | 22 | June | Jun–Jun |
| Michigan | 15 | July | May–Sep |
| Wisconsin | 14 | August | Aug–Aug |
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
Anise Swallowtail
Western Giant 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 Zebra Swallowtail?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from March to August.
Where is Zebra Swallowtail most often seen?
The most observations come from Virginia, Florida, Maryland.