Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 959850

Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus

Observation date: March 12, 2014
Submitted by: Paredes kids
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: Kids found this huge butterfly in front yard on Cyprus bush. It cannot fly but crawls around. Please help us identify this beautiful creature.
Status: Resident
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: March 13, 2014
Coordinator notes: Another place for beautiful swallowtails near Fresno is the Squaw Leap Trail (possibly now renamed) and San Joaquin River Gorge which should now have beautiful black and blue Pipevine Swallowtails in the area around the bridge. Two-Tailed Tiger Swallowtails also occur there and in the Power House Crossing of the River upstream.
Checklist region(s): United States, California, Fresno County