It's a female. She has lots of blue on the wings. The boys have very little blue and have predominant yellow bands. Females have faint yellow bands.

Congrats, Lisa. And now for those eggs! Did you find some more plants?

Sandy

Here's a male black swallowtail, Lisa -
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Sherry`

Sandy: Thanks again! I did corner my book borrowing friend this morning to ask for my OK butterfly id book back :) I ended up buying dill and parsley. They didn't really like it, but all but one made do. My very last one, who I call "The Reluctant Caterpillar", just got relocated to my garden. He just wouldn't do anything, he didn't really eat, he wasn't pupating. I have a fennel plant in the ground that I thought he might be able to live on, so I put him on there and told him to eat or don't let me know what happened :)

Sherry, I see the difference. However my first one (also a girl) had no yellow, it was very pale. I guess it is just a variant?

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Sherry: I forgot to say thanks! Thank you. I must be very visual, photos always help!

Lisa

You're most welcome, Lisa!
To my old eyes, your two females look alike, but black swallowtails certainly DO show a lot of variations!
Sherry

Congrats, Lisa. Isn't is fun???