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
****Available again in November 2026 around Thanksgiving
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 2027).
- 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:
