Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio glaucus Linnaeus, 1758
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Male is yellow with dark tiger stripes. Female has 2 forms: one yellow like the male and the other black with shadows of dark stripes. Hindwing of both female forms has a row of striking blue chevrons and an iridescent blue wash over parts of the interior hindwing. The upperside hindwing has a prominent orange marginal spot that is generally larger than the row of pale marginal spots. On the underside of forewing of spring individuals the row of marginal spots may be merged into a continuous band, thus appearing similar to the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail.
Wing Span: 2 1/2 - 4 1/2 inches (6.2 - 11.4 cm).
Life History: Two broods in the north, three in the south. Males patrol for receptive females. Females lay eggs singly on host leaves. Caterpillars eat leaves and rest on silken mats on the upper surface of leaves. Chrysalids overwinter.
Flight: 3 flights from February-November in Deep South; 2 flights from May-September in north.
Caterpillar Hosts: Leaves of various plants including wild cherry (Prunus), sweetbay (Magnolia), basswood (Tilia), tulip tree (Liriodendron), birch (Betula), ash (Fraxinus), cottonwood (Populus), mountain ash (Sorbus), and willow (Salix).
Adult Food: Nectar of flowers from a variety of plants including wild cherry and lilac (Syringa vulgaris). Milkweed (Asclepias) and Joe-Pye Weed [Eupatorium] are favorites in summer.
Habitat: Deciduous broadleaf woods, forest edges, river valleys, parks, and suburbs.
Range: Eastern North America from Ontario south to Gulf coast, west to Colorado plains and central Texas.
Conservation: Not required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None noted.
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 25, 2016
Submitted by: digginflowers
Region: Kent County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Nov 09, 2021
Observation date: Jul 02, 2017
Submitted by: grayhairstreak
Region: New Castle County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Nov 08, 2021
Observation date: Jul 27, 2019
Submitted by: Mendrola
Region: New Castle County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Nov 03, 2021
Observation date: Aug 14, 2019
Submitted by: LeeinDelaware
Region: Sussex County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Nov 02, 2021
Observation date: Aug 09, 2015
Submitted by: mmwm
Region: New Castle County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: richardhsmith
Verified date: Aug 17, 2015
Observation date: Jul 19, 2014
Submitted by: grayhairstreak
Region: New Castle County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: richardhsmith
Verified date: Jul 20, 2014
Observation date: Sep 26, 2013
Submitted by: caug
Region: New Castle County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: richardhsmith
Verified date: Oct 17, 2013
Observation date: Aug 04, 2013
Submitted by: grayhairstreak
Region: New Castle County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: richardhsmith
Verified date: Sep 25, 2013
Observation date: Sep 04, 2013
Submitted by: VidyaVenkat
Region: New Castle County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: richardhsmith
Verified date: Sep 17, 2013
Observation date: Sep 01, 2013
Submitted by: VidyaVenkat
Region: New Castle County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: richardhsmith
Verified date: Sep 07, 2013
Observation date: Oct 17, 2012
Submitted by: William A. Rosenfeld
Region: Kent County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Oct 23, 2012
Observation date: Jul 02, 2012
Submitted by: sonuptosondown
Region: New Castle County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: richardhsmith
Verified date: Aug 30, 2012
Observation date: Sep 03, 2011
Submitted by: Michux (The specimen is a male.)
Region: Kent County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: richardhsmith
Verified date: Sep 26, 2011
Observation date: Jul 16, 2011
Submitted by: Michux
Region: Kent County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: coreyhusic
Verified date: Aug 08, 2011
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: New Castle County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Sussex County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004
Observation date: unknown
Submitted by: legacy.reporter
Region: Kent County, Delaware, United States
Verified by: legacy.verifier
Verified date: Dec 31, 2004