Where’s Wildlife · Butterfly Field Guide

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio glaucus

Pronounced (approx.): puh-PILL-ee-oh GLAW-kus

A large swallowtail with bold tiger stripes and a striking dark female form.

Select the image to browse all seven gallery images.

NATIVE TO NORTH AMERICA

At a Glance

Family: Papilionidae · swallowtails [2]
Habitat: Woodlands, forest edges, gardens, and meadows [2]
Host Plants: Tulip tree, cherry, ash, and birch (caterpillar food) [2]
Adult food: Flower nectar [2]
Quick ID: Yellow wings with black stripes; some females are dark [1]

Identification

Yellow form: Four black bands cross the yellow forewings. Black outer borders contain yellow spots. [1]

Dark females: Some females are mostly dark, with blue on the hindwings. Faint tiger stripes may remain visible beneath the forewings. [1]

Caterpillar: Young larvae resemble bird droppings; older larvae are green with an enlarged thorax and false eyespots. [1]

Field Photographs

Explore the existing gallery images and compare wing markings. Select any image to open the full slideshow.

Photographic composite showing Eastern Tiger Swallowtail adults and a green caterpillar on leaves. — Eastern Tiger Swallowtail — adult and caterpillar composite

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), with wings spread among green plants. — Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), side view on a pink thistle flower. — Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), with wings spread on white flowers. — Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), on purple flowers with wings partly open. — Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)

Closer Look

Life Cycle & Host Plants

Caterpillars eat leaves of hardwood trees. Hosts include tulip tree, cherry, ash, and birch; the plants used vary regionally. [2]

Development follows the egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult stages. The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail overwinters as a chrysalis. [1]

Color Forms & Behavior

The dark female form resembles the Pipevine Swallowtail, an example of protective mimicry. Identify dark swallowtails from their wing markings as well as color. [1]

Adults sometimes gather at damp soil or puddles to obtain moisture and nutrients. This behavior is called puddling. [2]

Range & Sightings

This species occurs widely in the eastern United States. In parts of the north it overlaps with the closely related Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, and hybrids occur. [1]

Explore reported sightings below; observation records are not a complete range map.

Keep Learning

Explore the Black Swallowtail guide
Explore the Butterfly & Moth Guide
Explore Wildlife Knowledge

Sources & further reading

[1] UF/IFAS Extension — Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Donald W. Hall and Jerry F. Butler’s account of identification, color forms, development, and distribution.

[2] University of Kentucky — Swallowtails of Kentucky
Blake Newton’s guide to habitats, host plants, feeding, and puddling.

Related Clipart

Explore Eastern Tiger Swallowtail downloads featuring Where’s Wildlife photographs.