A common North American swallowtail butterfly, Papilio polyxenes asterius, which has chiefly black wings with narrow bands of yellow spots; also called parsnip swallowtail.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Philip Gosse (1810–1888), zoologist and religious writer.
Definition of black swallowtail in US English:
black swallowtail
noun
A common North American swallowtail butterfly, Papilio polyxenes asterius, which has chiefly black wings with narrow bands of yellow spots; also called parsnip swallowtail.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Philip Gosse (1810–1888), zoologist and religious writer.