Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Photograph

One of the most recognized eastern butterflies is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. This butterfly happens to be the male which is a little less colorful than the female. Females generally have more extensive blue coloring on the hindwing than males. 

Its habitat ranges from forests to streams and gardens. Keep an eye on your flowerbeds and you just might spot one of these spectacular flying flowers floating about your yard. It loves to patrol flowers and can be seen congregating at mud holes with others of its species.

Males are always yellow but the females can be a dark color which causes them to be referred to as intermediate females. If you happen to see one of these I think you will be totally amazed at their incredible color variations. Some scientists think they might be mimicking the Pipevine Swallowtail which they share habitat in the southernmost part of their region.

“One large, spring-flying population was very recently described as a new species, Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail.”

Its larval foodplants are trees and shrubs such as wild cherries and willows if would like to try and find one in the early stage of life.

I used a Kaufman Focus Guide for Butterflies of North America, a National Audubon Society Pocket Guide of Familiar Butterflies of North America and their Field Guide to North American Butterflies.

Great sites to reference:

Children’s Butterfly Site

Butterflies and Moths of North America

NBII

Thank you for stopping by Boyd Greene Fine Art for a browse and I hope to have some butterfly paintings done in the future so keep in touch for paintings. Look for this rather large butterfly in your yard as it can have a wingspan of up to five and a half inches! Take care.