- Zebra swallowtail butterfly (Iphiclides marcellus, Graphium marcellus, or Papilio …
(
Iphiclides marcellus, Graphium marcellus, or
Papilio marcellus), large, familiar North American swallowtail butterfly of the family Papilionidae (order Lepidoptera), similar to the related European scarce swallowtail (
I. podalirius). Wing patterns of both species are reminiscent of a zebra's stripes, with a series of longitudinal black bands forming a pattern on a greenish white or white background. There are several generations in a single year, spring broods being rather smaller than summer broods. Adult forms that emerge at different seasons vary considerably in their markings. The span of the forewings is 6 to 9 cm (2.5 to 3.5 inches); the hindwings bear streamers 15 to 25 mm (0.6 to 1 inch) long. The principal food plant of the larvae is the pawpaw.