ExploreInsects

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio canadensis

The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with yellow and black stripes. It flutters around gardens and forests, bringing joy with its colorful wings.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail is a large, vibrant butterfly with striking yellow wings marked by bold black tiger-like stripes. Its hindwings feature two distinctive "tails" and subtle blue and orange spots near the edge, setting it apart from similar species.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPapilionidaeGenusPapilio
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
striped trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Male Canadian Tiger Swallowtails sometimes gather in "puddle clubs" to drink vital minerals from damp soil.

The caterpillars change their skin color from green to brown before they turn into a chrysalis!

These butterflies taste with their feet to find the best flowers for nectar!

They spend most of their life as a caterpillar, only emerging as a beautiful butterfly for a few short weeks!

Special abilities

Ability

Snake Impersonator

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail can mimic a snake's head with its caterpillar form because of large eye-like spots that deter predators.

Ability

Chemical Defender

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail has a special organ called an osmeterium that emits a foul smell when disturbed, helping them ward off attackers.

Ability

Nectar Sipper

Canadian Tiger Swallowtail can efficiently drink nectar from deep flowers because of its long, coiled proboscis that acts like a straw.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
65-80 mm
Size
30-45 mm
Lifespan
10-14 days
Flight Speed
20 km/h
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip sweet flower nectar, while their young munch on tree leaves to grow big and strong.

Age differences: Larvae (caterpillars) feed on tree leaves, while adults drink nectar from flowers.

Primary Foods

  • Flower nectar
  • Trembling aspen leaves
  • Paper birch leaves
  • Wild cherry leaves

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch, but don't try to catch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Canadian Tiger Swallowtail's wingspan?

65-80 mm

How big is Canadian Tiger Swallowtail?

30-45 mm

How long does Canadian Tiger Swallowtail live?

10-14 days

How fast can Canadian Tiger Swallowtail fly?

20 km/h

What does Canadian Tiger Swallowtail eat?

Adults sip sweet flower nectar, while their young munch on tree leaves to grow big and strong.

Where is Canadian Tiger Swallowtail usually found?

Forests

How does Canadian Tiger Swallowtail hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Canadian Tiger Swallowtail have?

6

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

Loading map…

Recent Snaps

Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.

More Insects