Eastern Tiger SwallowtailPapilio glaucus
Quick facts
- Rarity
- Common
- Active during
- Midday
- Found in
- Lotsamoss Woods
- Length
- 1.5 in
- Wingspan
- 4 in
From the field notes
Diet
Caterpillars feed primarily on the high-canopy leaves of tulip trees and wild cherries. Adults transition to sipping nectar from tall, native wildflowers.
Defense
Older caterpillars deter predators by puffing up their thorax. They reveal fake eyespots and a hidden, foul-smelling orange horn to mimic a striking snake.
Mud-Puddling
Flocks of adult males gather tightly around damp soil and mud puddles. This allows them to extract essential salts and minerals missing from their nectar diet.
Chrysalis
The wintering chrysalis is brown, rough, and perfectly textured to disguise itself as dead bark, protecting itself from predators.
Field Marks
Bold black stripes pattern their bright yellow wings, which end in elongated, swallow-like tails. Females display a distinct splash of iridescent blue on the lower hindwings.