| |
|
|
| Eastern Tiger Swallowtail |
Latin
Name: Papilio glaucus |
|
|
Genus: Papilio Species: glaucus |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comments: |
| Easily recognized by its bold, black stripes and yellow wings, the Tiger Swallowtail is one of the state's most familiar butterflies. Adults have a strong, agile flight and often soar high in the treetops. A common and conspicuous garden visitor, adults are readily drawn to available flowers. Males often congregate in large numbers at mud puddles or moist ground. Darkform females mimic the toxic Pipevine Swallowtail to gain protection from predators. Females exhibit numerous intermediate-colored forms. |
| |
|
Life
Cycle: |
Broods: |
multiple generations |
Egg: |
green, laid singly on upper surface of host leaves |
Larva: |
green; enlarged thorax and two small false eyespots |
Host Plants: |
Wild Cherry, White Ash and Sweet Bay |
| |
|
Host
Plants: |
Host
Plants: |
Wild Cherry, White Ash and Sweet Bay |
| |
|
Habitat: |
Habitat: |
mixed forests, wooded swamps, hammocks, forest edges, suburban gardens |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Wingspan: |
Inches: |
3.5 - 5.5 |
Centimeters: |
8.9 - 14 |
| |
|
Appearance: |
Sexes: |
dissimilar; male always yellow but females have two color forms; yellow female has increased blue scaling in black hindwing border; dark-form female is mostly black with extensive blue hindwing markings |
Compare: |
Yellow-form unique. Pipevine Swallowtail is much smaller. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| Markings: |
| |
Above:
- yellow with black forewing stripes and broad black wing margins; single row of yellow spots along outer edge of each wing
|
 |
Below:
- yellow with black stripes and black wing margins; hindwing margins have increased blue scaling and a single submarginal row of yellow-orange, crescentshaped spots; abdomen yellow with black stripes
|
|
|
|
Abundance: |
occasional to common |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Map Legend: Resident (green) | Stray
(Red) |
