# Western Tiger Swallowtail (*Papilio rutulus*) The Western Tiger Swallowtail is a beautiful butterfly with yellow and black stripes. It flutters gracefully around gardens and parks, bringing joy to everyone who sees it. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 55 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Western Tiger Swallowtail](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Wtigerswallowtail.JPG&width=800) Photo: Calibas at en.wikipedia, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wtigerswallowtail.JPG) ## Appearance The Western Tiger Swallowtail is a large, brightly colored butterfly with striking yellow wings marked by bold black tiger-like stripes. Its hindwings feature distinctive tails, along with areas of blue and orange spots near these tails, differentiating it from similar species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Papilionidae - **Genus:** Papilio ## Interesting facts - Males sometimes gather in muddy puddles to drink water and minerals! - The chrysalis can be green or brown to blend perfectly with its surroundings! - Their caterpillars shed their skin four times before becoming a chrysalis! - These butterflies help flowers make seeds by carrying pollen from plant to plant! ## Special abilities - **Nectar Sipper:** Western Tiger Swallowtail can drink flower nectar because it has a long, straw-like proboscis that helps them refuel. - **Taste Testers:** Western Tiger Swallowtail has special sensors on its feet that help them taste leaves and flowers before laying eggs or feeding. - **False Alarm Tails:** Western Tiger Swallowtail has eye-catching tails on its hindwings that can trick predators into attacking the wrong end, helping them escape. - **Stinky Defender:** Western Tiger Swallowtail caterpillars can scare away predators by flashing a stinky, orange, Y-shaped organ. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 70-100 mm - **Size:** 35-55 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink flower nectar; caterpillars munch on leaves from host trees and shrubs. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat leaves, while adults sip nectar from various flowering plants. - **Primary Foods:** Flower nectar, Willow leaves, Aspen leaves, Cottonwood leaves, Cherry tree leaves - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [American Crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-crow) (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*) — Adult butterflies can be prey for various birds. - **Depends on:** Shining Willow (*Salix lucida*) — Caterpillars feed on the leaves of willow trees. - **Pollinates:** [Common Milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) — Adults help pollinate flowers while sipping nectar. ## Traits - [Striped](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/striped): Marked with parallel bands or lines of color. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Butterflies are gentle and safe to watch, but don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Western Tiger Swallowtail? Compare the wing outline, spots, bands, eyespots and wing edges. The underside can look completely different from the top. Check for tails, the antennae and where the markings sit instead of relying on color alone. Butterfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Western Tiger Swallowtail's wingspan? 70-100 mm ### How big is Western Tiger Swallowtail? 35-55 mm ### How long does Western Tiger Swallowtail live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Western Tiger Swallowtail fly? 20 km/h ### What does Western Tiger Swallowtail eat? Adults drink flower nectar; caterpillars munch on leaves from host trees and shrubs. ### Where is Western Tiger Swallowtail usually found? Urban areas ### How does Western Tiger Swallowtail hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/armstrong-redwoods-state-natural-reserve) — California, US · State Park - [Barrio De Analco Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrio-de-analco-historic-district) — New Mexico, US · Historic District - [Berry Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/berry-botanic-garden) — Oregon, US · Botanical Garden - [City Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/city-park) — Colorado, US · Park - [Conejo Valley Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/conejo-valley-botanical-garden) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/cougar-mountain-regional-wildland-park) — Washington, US · Park [View all places to see Western Tiger Swallowtail](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/western-tiger-swallowtail) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Western Tiger Swallowtail: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-tiger-swallowtail)