Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus
The adult is a large yellow-and-black swallowtail commonly seen along streams, forest edges, gardens, and open sunny corridors across western North America. It drinks nectar from flowers and also visits damp soil or mud for minerals, especially males. Adults fly strongly with gliding pauses and quick turns, using their wings to escape predators rather than to fight directly. The long tails on the hindwings may help draw attacks away from the body.
- Type
- Wing
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- Western Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar
- Western Tiger Swallowtail Chrysalis
- Western Tiger Swallowtail