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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Few People Know That The Two-Tailed Swallowtail Is The Official Insect Of The Grand Canyon State And Here’s What You Should Know

Arizona's official state insect is the two-tailed swallowtail butterfly, known for its vibrant yellow wings and black tiger stripes.

Published Aug 6, 2020

Written by 

Katie Lawrence

Arizona is home to a plethora of different bugs, but did you know we have an official state insect? It's the two-tailed swallowtail - a beautiful butterfly that's an absolute marvel to behold.

Sporting vibrant yellow wings and black tiger stripes, the two-tailed swallowtail is the official insect of Arizona.

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Flickr/Alan Schmierer

It's the largest swallowtail in western North America, with a wingspan of up to 6.5 inches.

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Much like other striped swallowtail species, the two-tailed swallowtail has an orange eyespot on each hindwing.

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Flickr/Trish Hamme

This fools predators into attacking the rear of the butterfly, affording it a chance to escape.

With an appearance similar to that of western and eastern tiger swallowtails, the two-tailed swallowtail needs a trained eye to spot.

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Flickr/Adam Schmierer

Among the key distinguishing factors are narrower black stripes, two tails on each hindwing as opposed to one, and a black "slit pupil" in the eyespot.

Common habitats for the two-tailed swallowtail include streams, moist valleys, canyons, and lower elevation cities.

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Flickr/Tony Hisgett

You'll see the insect from Guatemala to the western U.S. to as far up as Saskatchewan.

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Host plants include chokecherry, bitter cherry, Arizona rosewood, single-leaf ash, hoptree, and Arizona sycamore.

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Wikimedia Commons/Nadiatalent

The butterflies also use green ash planted along city streets.

Two-tailed swallowtail caterpillars emerge in May, after folding the leaves of the host plant, tying them together with silk, and eating from the structure.

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Wikimedia Commons/Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org

Adults fly during spring and summer in one brood.

Females tend to be larger and more brightly colored than their male counterparts, donning more blue and orange markings on their hindwings.

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Flickr/Alan Schmierer

The two-tailed swallowtail doesn't typically crossbreed with related species, unlike the western, eastern, and Canadian tiger swallowtails.

Have you ever seen a two-tailed swallowtail? Tell us what you think about the Arizona state insect, and check out our previous article to learn about more bugs to keep an eye out for: These 10 Bugs Found In Arizona Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Audubon Center in Arizona Where You’ll See More Than 200 Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

You don't have to go too far to go birdwatching when you live in the Phoenix Metro area as we have our very own Audubon Center right here in the city.

Published Oct 17, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

You don't have to go too far to go birdwatching when you live in the Phoenix Metro area. In fact, we have our very own Audubon center right here in the city! This Audubon Center in Arizona serves as an oasis for over 200 bird species. Perhaps you can spend an afternoon here and see how many you can spot. Just bring your hiking shoes, a pair of binoculars, and maybe a Southwest birding guide for this outdoor adventure.

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Located within the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area in Phoenix lies the Nina Mason Pulliam Rio Salado Audubon Center. Free to visit, this incredible Audubon Center is located at 3131 South Central Avenue.

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The only completely red bird in North America, the strawberry-colored male Summer Tanager is an eye-catching sight against the green leaves of the forest canopy. The mustard-yellow female is harder to spot, though both sexes have a very distinctive chuckling call note. Fairly common during the summer, these birds migrate as far as the middle of South America each winter. All year long they specialize in catching bees and wasps on the wing, somehow avoiding being stung by their catches. Summer Tanagers are medium-sized, chunky songbirds with big bodies and large heads. They have large, thick, blunt-tipped bills. This one was in Spartanburg, SC where they migrate in summer

The Rio Salado Audubon Center is set along the Salt River for 5 miles providing a riparian habitat rich in birds and other wildlife. In fact, over 200 bird species have been spotted throughout the 600-acre wildlife refuge. How many do you think you could spot in a single afternoon?

The Rio Salado landscape is a mix of wetlands, mesquite bosque, and forests filled with cottonwoods and willows. Birds love it here and so will you! During your visit, you may be able to spot an Anna's Hummingbird flittering around, a great blue heron wading in the river, or a greater roadrunner dashing across a trail.

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A shot of a road runner travelling through the desert.

While there are 5 miles of trails to enjoy, you may also want to participate in one of the Rio Salado Audubon Center's Free Guided Bird Walks. These informative hikes are held on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. and are a great way for people of all ages to learn about bird species found right here in Phoenix.

As someone who has worked at an Audubon Center for a number of years on the East Coast, I know how serious birdwatching can be. And I assure you, the Rio Salado Audubon Center is one of the best places for birding in Phoenix. Have you ever visited this Audubon Center in Arizona and, if so, did you go birdwatching? How many and which bird species did you spot? We would love to hear from you!

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Alan Vernon / Moment Collection via Getty Images

For additional information such as location, directions, and hours of operation, visit the Rio Salado Audubon Center web page. Keep in mind that the center itself is closed on Sundays and Mondays and on most holidays. However, the property around the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area is open 7 days a week throughout the year from dawn until 7 p.m. or dusk.

Would you like ideas for more outdoor adventures in Arizona? Take a look at the top hiking trails in Arizona, and download the AllTrails+ app as your guide.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Best Apple Cider in Arizona Comes From This Family-Owned Farm

Mortimer Farms is perfect for a fall day trip and some of the best apple cider in Arizona.

Published Sep 11, 2024

Written by 

Melissa Mahoney

Why are the three months of fall the best part of the year? Well, at least that's how it is for me. As a New Englander-turned-desert-dweller, I used to think that fall fun only occurred where I grew up. After all, New England is the fall foliage capital of the U.S., right? Well, when I found out that fall is also a big deal here in Arizona, I fell in love with the state just a little bit more! Just like where my childhood roots are, there are farms, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, apples, apple cider donuts, apple cider, and other fall treats to be had in the Grand Canyon State. And if you're on the hunt for the best apple cider in Arizona, I suggest you visit Mortimer Farms.

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exterior of mortimer farms in arizona with a john deere tractor in foreground
Mortimer Farms/Google Reviews

Visiting a farm during the fall should be a requirement because there's no other place to really enjoy the season in such a fun way! Mortimer Farms is one of those farms that's perfect for a fall day trip in Arizona.

Located in Dewey, this family-owned farm offers seasonal events including its annual Pumpkin Fest & Corn Maze which runs from late September through late October. During this time, you can have fun watching pig races and a tractor parade, participating in a Friday night barn dance, picking out pumpkins from the pumpkin patch, meeting farm animals, going on a hayride, and so much more.

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Mortimer Farms/Facebook

You'll also find plenty of food options between all the food trucks and farm-fresh fall goodies like pies, apple cider donuts, and apple cider. In fact, you can watch an apple cider press demo at the fall festival to see how it's made right here at Mortimer Farms!

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adrianabeckova90 / 500px via Getty Images

Of course, you won't be able to resist taking home a half gallon or so of apple cider. Countless customers rave about how incredibly fresh and tasty Mortimer Farms' cider is whether you drink it hot or cold.

Another recommendation is the apple cider donuts if they're available. No one can resist an apple cider donut, especially one that's made fresh on a farm.

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Mortimer Farms/Facebook

Where have you had the best apple cider in Arizona? Is it Mortimer Farms in Dewey? For location, events, and pick-your-own information, visit the Mortimer Farms website and give its Facebook page a follow for updates on all the family-friendly farm fun!

Are you ready to explore the Grand Canyon State in the fall? Take a look at all the incredible fall destinations in Arizona. If hiking is on your list of things to do this fall, download the AllTrails+ app to find hiking trails near you.

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