Summary ⁵

The Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) is a common swallowtail butterfly of western North America, frequently seen in urban parks and gardens as well as in rural woodlands and riparian areas. It is a large, brightly colored and active butterfly, rarely seen at rest; its wingspan is 7 to 10 cm (~2.75 to 4 in), and its wings are yellow with black stripes, and in addition it has blue and orange spots near its tail. It has the "tails" on the hind wings that are often found in swallowtails.

Development ⁶

The eggs are smooth, green and round, laid singly on the host plant (Pyle 2002). Mature larvae are velvety green with a pair of yellow-rimmed eyespots and a yellow stripe on the mid-thoracic segment (Pyle 2002). The tan and brown-streaked pupa overwinters (Pyle 2002). This species tends to have an extended emergence period and a longer lifespan than smaller species (Pyle 2002).

Cyclicity ⁷

One yearly flight, peaking in June.

Sources and Credits

1. (c) brian lee clements, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/25322931@N00/3507770476
2. (c) Steve Corey, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevecorey/4727904581/
3. (c) Paul & Hien Brown, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://www.flickr.com/photos/92922008@N00/1440445437
4. (c) Celeste Ramsay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/cramsay23/7778094900/
5. (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papilio_rutulus
6. Adapted by Ken-ichi Ueda from a work by (c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/23146234
7. (c) University of Alberta Museums, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), http://eol.org/data_objects/23146230

More Info

• iNat taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BOLD Systems BIN search
• BugGuide
• Butterflies and Moths of North America
• CalPhotos
• CUIC Insect Images
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• Moth Photographers Group
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• Pacific Northwest Moths

Range Map

(c) Megan McCarty, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA)

iNat Map