Coloration in Giant Swallowtail ?

[Neil Reimer]

Douglas Aguillard wrote:
> 
> I live in San Diego, California, and have a question about coloration
> in the Giant Swallowtail.
> 
> Giant Swallowtail is a relative newcomer to Southern California. From
> time to time, I have notice a few individuals that are Black and
> Yellow, instead of the normal Brown and Yellow. All of the books that
> I have read state that the color should be Brown, not Black.  These
> are otherwise normal Giant, and before its' starts, No they are not
> Western Tiger or Anise. I have those too.
> 
> The Giants with black are normally being seen in my neighborhood on
> almost a daily basis. Can anyone let me know if I am seeing something
> unusual or just what it is I'm seeing.
> 
> Douglas Aguillard
> San Diego, CA
> doug at basiclink.com

Giant swallowtails have a bit of variation in the darkness of the black
on their wings.  I've caught brown and black ones often in S. Arizona.
Sometimes the females are a little larger and lighter than the males.
They also lighten up with age as the black scales wear off.