Two-Tailed Swallowtail -- Papilio multicaudata
****Shipping to OR, WA, AZ, ID, CO, MT, UT, CA, NV, NM, WY, and TX.
Please do not order this species if shipping to a different state than listed. Your order will be cancelled.
Wild release only in Oregon
The second largest butterfly in North America, and the largest in the Pacific Northwest. These are quite a sight!
Common in the dry desert regions in Eastern Washington and Oregon south into Mexico, the larvae feed on Chokecherry and also ornamental Ash trees.
There is one main late spring/early summer flight in Oregon, with a second smaller flight in mid-August.
Item Details:
- You will receive one Two Tailed Swallowtail chrysalis, inspected for quality and weight before shipping.
- Chrysalis is diapausing (sleeping through the winter for eclosion in SPRING 2026).
- We guarantee shipping a live chrysalis. Because this is a live animal, there are no other guarantees after shipment.
- We recommend ordering two (2) or more chrysalids, as occasionally one won't make it through winter/fridge. This is rare, but does occur in nature from time to time.
General Directions on arrival:
General Directions:
-
On arrival (Around Thanksgiving/End of November), place the pupae into a sealed container and into the refrigerator.
- Keep in the fridge at approximately 38F, venting monthly for a few minutes and removing any visible moisture.
- Remove from fridge in spring, about 3 weeks prior to the natural flight of this species in the region. We typically remove Two Tailed pupae around the end of May.
- Place pupae in pop-up tent (also available on our site) on a layer of paper towel. Do not mist. Two Tailed pupae prefer a dry environment.
- The butterfly should eclose (hatch) in 3-6 weeks.
- Wild release only in Oregon.
- There are many resources and online groups to handle questions about live butterflies and pupae care. Send us an email if you get stuck :)
More in depth instructions and discussion:
