Swallowtail Butterflies Mating in Wisconsin – Maine to Texas and Back to Wisconsin

This week we had the opportunity to watch the mating of Swallowtail Butterflies. Male swallowtails often engage in aerial displays, flying in a specific pattern to attract females. They also release pheromones, chemical signals that play a crucial role in attracting mates. Once the male lands, the butterflies couple at the abdomen, with the male on the bottom and the female on top. The male transfers a spermatophore, which contains sperm and nutrients, to the female. After mating, male swallowtail butterflies typically live for only a few days longer. Their primary focus after mating is to reproduce, and once they’ve fulfilled this role, their lifespan is shortened. In contrast, female swallowtails live longer to lay eggs and contribute to the next generation. The adult stage of a swallowtail, including both males and females, generally lasts from a few weeks up to a month or more.