Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio glaucus

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is a large, beautiful butterfly with yellow and black stripes. It flutters gracefully among flowers!

Habitat: Wetlands and gardens

Appearance

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is a large butterfly, typically bright yellow with striking black 'tiger' stripes on its wings. Some females are entirely dark black, mimicking toxic butterflies. Its hindwings often feature a row of blue spots and a splash of orange.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilyPapilionidaeGenusPapilio

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Interesting facts

Adult males have special scent scales on their wings to attract females.

Caterpillars build a silken mat on leaves to rest and hide.

Its tongue is like a long straw that unrolls to sip flower nectar!

These butterflies sometimes gather in 'puddling' groups to drink minerals from wet dirt!

Special abilities

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillars can look like bird droppings when small, and later develop 'fake eyes' to resemble a snake's head to scare predators.

Some female Eastern Tiger Swallowtails have dark wings that mimic the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail, helping them avoid hungry birds.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtails have a long, coiled proboscis that unrolls like a straw, helping them sip sweet nectar deep inside flowers.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 76-150 mm
Size: 50-75 mm
Lifespan: 7-14 days
Flight Speed: 25 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Adults sip sweet nectar from many flowers; caterpillars munch on tree leaves.

Age differences: Young caterpillars eat tree leaves, while adult butterflies drink nectar from flowers.

Primary Foods

Tulip tree leaves
Wild cherry leaves
Lilac nectar
Milkweed nectar
Thistle nectar

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Tulip Tree

Liriodendron tulipifera

Caterpillars munch its leaves for growth.

pollinates

Common Milkweed

Asclepias syriaca

Adults sip nectar, helping plant reproduction.

eaten by

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

Sometimes caught by this bird.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Wetland

These fascinating areas are covered by water for at least part of the year, creating a perfect home for unique plants and animals, like marshes and swamps.

Diurnal

Wake up with creatures that are most active during the day! They love the sunshine for finding food, playing, and exploring.

Pollinator

Meet the busy helpers of the plant world! These creatures carry pollen from one flower to another, helping plants make seeds and grow fruits and vegetables.