Frequently Asked Questions About Insects - Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University

Frequently Asked Questions

Topic:	Butterflies, giant swallowtail
Question:	I am trying to find out what the host plant is in Central Texas for giant swallowtails. We are too far north for their favorite citrus, but we see many of them here. I have been unable to determine what plant they are eating and hope that you might be able to give me some suggestion. Do you have any information about the market for farm-raised swallowtails?
Answer:	Giant swallowtails actually occur much farther north, probably even into Canada. The host plants in the other regions all have a citrus odor in the leaves when crushed. The caterpillars probably feed on Xanthoxylum in your area, which you may know as Hercules club, tooth ache tree or prickly ash. I do not know about the market for giant swallowtails. There has been an increase in the interest for reared butterflies to release at weddings and such. You may want to check some of our butterfly links below.
Related Link:	http://insects.tamu.edu/links/buttermot.html
Related Link:	http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg266.html
Image Link: **
Response by:	John A. Jackman, Ph.D.
Title:	Professor and Extension Specialist
** Most of the Related Links above also contain images.