Missouri Animals Black swallowtail   (Papilio polyxenes) Arthropoda: Insects: Butterflies and Moths Native North American arthropod Habitat: all regions of the state Diet: carrot family (larvae) ID Features: large black butterfly with 2 rows of yellowish-white spots on wings Natural History: The swallowtails are common throughout the state of Missouri. They are commonly observed "puddling" at the edges of streams, presumably obtaining the salts found there at the water's edge. They are common visitors in urban flower gardens.

The graphics, text, and sound are from: By Photo (c)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) (Own Picture.) [GFDL 1.2 or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons Text from: Butterflies and Moths of Missouri by J. Richard and Joan E. Heitzman