ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
state butterfly
Purpose
Designates the two-tailed swallowtail butterfly as the official butterfly of Arizona.
Background
Arizona state emblems are designated in statute as follows:
· the cactus wren as the state bird (1973)
· the Saguaro flower as the state flower (1973)
· the Palo Verde as the state tree (1973)
· the Bola tie as the official state neckwear (1973)
· turquoise as the state gemstone (1974)
· the ringtail as the state mammal (1986)
· Arizona ridgenose rattlesnake as the state reptile (1986)
· the Arizona trout as the state fish (1986)
· the Arizona tree frog as the state reptile (1986)
· petrified wood as the state fossil (1988)
The two-tailed swallowtail
butterfly’s habitat is in foothill slopes and canyons, moist valleys,
streamsides, woodlands, parks, roadsides, suburbs and cities. The range of the
butterfly is in Western North America ranging south from British Columbia, east
to central Nebraska and central Texas and south through Mexico. Information
about the two-tailed swallowtail butterfly can be obtained at www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/az/708.htm.
This legislation has no fiscal impact to the state general fund.
Provisions
1. Designates the two- tailed swallowtail butterfly (papilio multicaudata) as the official butterfly of Arizona.
2. Specifies that the designation of the state butterfly is not grounds for protection of the butterfly or its habitat.
3. Provides for a general effective date.
House Action
RGO 1/30/01 DPA 9-0-1-0-0
3rd Read 2/13/01 41-16-3-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 28, 2001