Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 1279299

Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus

Observation date: June 14, 2020
Submitted by: stevecary
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: one of several seen; partly sunny, breezy, cool to warm
Status: Resident
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: November 23, 2020
Coordinator notes: Swallowtails were very scarce in the mountains here in western Colorado. We had a late freeze which may have taken a toll. I think according to Nick's DNA, rutulus and glaucus are separate species but they hybridize at points of contact and apparently offspring of hybrids are fertile so where does that put the biological species theory? Mike
Checklist region(s): United States, Colorado, Conejos County