Wing span: 6.5-13 cm.

Flight time: The few documented reports of this species makes determination of flight times difficult, but it is likely multiple brooded, as adults have been observed from early May through August.

Status: The Pipevine Swallowtail is a breeding resident in the southeastern quarter, a rare stray elsewhere.

Distinguishing features: The Pipevine Swallowtail is easily distinguished from other Iowa swallowtails by its black upper wing surface with greenish-blue iridescence in the outer half of the hindwing. The rear hindwing below has bright orange submarginal spots surrounded by iridescence.

Distribution and habitat: While strays have been reported from the southeastern half of the state, breeding colonies are very rare and limited to old growth, rocky woodlands in the southeastern quarter.

Natural History: Parker first reported this butterfly from Shimek Forest in Lee County in 1870. For years Iowa collectors believed it was a stray from Missouri where it is more common. Apparently the next specimen of the Pipevine Swallowtail (B. philenor) collected in Lee County was on May 2, 1987. The resident status of this colony was verified by the location of the host plant (Aristolochia serpentaria) at this site in 1989 by Jeff Nekola. This plant had last been collected in Iowa in 1894, from Muscatine County. With many individuals flying in 1987 it was apparent that a population of the host plant must be present. With that hint from the butterflies the plant was relocated. The larval host for this species is the Iowa endangered Virginia snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria) plant. This butterfly is the model for several mimics in Iowa, including the Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilio troilus), the female Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxene), the dark female Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) and the Red-spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis astyanax). These apparently palatable species are afforded some protection from predation by appearing like Pipevine Swallowtail, with which predatory birds may have had unpleasant previous experiences in their wintering grounds.