Papilio glaucus

Papilio glaucus

A pristine Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio glaucus, commonly known as the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, is a species of swallowtail butterfly native to North America. It is one of the most familiar butterflies in the eastern United States and is known for its striking yellow and black coloration.

Description

Close-up of the wings of Papilio glaucus

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is a large butterfly with a wingspan ranging from 7.9 to 14 cm (3.1 to 5.5 inches). The males are yellow with four black "tiger stripes" on each forewing. Females can be either yellow or black, a phenomenon known as sexual dimorphism. The black form is more common in the southern parts of its range.

Life Cycle

Egg

Egg of Papilio glaucus

The female lays her eggs singly on the leaves of host plants. The eggs are small, spherical, and pale green.

Larva

Caterpillar of Papilio glaucus

The caterpillar is initially brown and white, resembling bird droppings, which helps it avoid predators. As it matures, it becomes green with two large eyespots on the thorax, which may deter predators by mimicking a snake.

Pupa

The pupa, or chrysalis, is brown or green and resembles a leaf or twig, providing camouflage during this vulnerable stage.

Adult

Adult Papilio glaucus

Adults emerge from the chrysalis in the spring and are active throughout the summer. They are strong fliers and are often seen in gardens and woodlands.

Habitat and Distribution

Papilio glaucus is found in deciduous forests, woodlands, and gardens throughout the eastern United States and parts of Canada. It is particularly associated with tulip trees and other host plants.

Tulip tree, a host plant for Papilio glaucus

Behavior

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is known for its graceful flight and is often seen visiting flowers for nectar. It is also known to engage in puddling, where males gather on moist ground to extract minerals.

Group of swallowtails puddling

Defense Mechanisms

The caterpillar of Papilio glaucus has a unique defense mechanism known as the osmeterium, a forked, fleshy organ that emits a foul odor to deter predators.

Osmeterium of a swallowtail caterpillar

Related Pages

• Swallowtail butterfly
• Butterfly
• Lepidoptera