Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1094957

Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus

Observation date: August 06, 2016
Submitted by: Rose4321
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: This caterpillar is resting on a leaf,on a lower branch of a gravenstein apple tree. The tree is in a small group of apple trees, adjacent to a private residence, in the countryside of Sebastopol, CA. . I and my friend(whose orchard it is) took several close up photos with our phones. They are excellent photos;however, I am not sure if I can figure out how to post them. Will do my best. The day was sunny , warm and with a slight breeze. Nights here are cool and often foggy evening and morning. My friends do not use any sprays etc at their property. The caterpillar was resting head upward on a silvery webbing, upon the leaf. Later in the day my friend sent pictures of it turning around and, head down , excreting some orngeish goo from its (Mouth?). Then a photo of it turning back around. Then a photo, from the next day , 8/7/16, of it resting in the head pointing skyward position. If this is indeed the butterfly we think it is , it is further south than any reports I have found. Thank you for this site! May it continue!
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: August 09, 2016
Coordinator notes: If it were a Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, a series of adults would need to be collected to prove. Also Pale Swallowtails look very similar to caterpillars of Western Tigers.-Ken Davenport
Checklist region(s): United States, California, Sonoma County