Observation date: July 30, 2006
Submitted by: franpope
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: The black female Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio appalachiensis, was photographed on July 30, 2006. I first thought it was an especially large Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, P. glaucus, but in reviewing some old photos recently, I noticed some characteristics of P. appalachiensis and had the identification confirmed. The ventral photo was taken at 9:25 a.m. and the dorsal photo was taken at 9:26 a.m. of the same individual. No other swallowtails were noted at that location. Other species nectaring on Common Milkweed with the black female were many Pipevine Swallowtails and a Striped Hairstreak. Other species noted nearby were Cabbage White, Azure, sp., Great Spangled Fritillary, Pearl Crescent, Common Wood Nymph and Monarch. The temperature was in the 70's with a light breeze and no precip.
Status: Resident
Verified by: richardhsmith
Verified date: August 16, 2011
Coordinator notes: Harry Pavulaan separately reviewed the submitted photos of this specimen and confirmed that this was an Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail dark female. Harry added though that the record date seemed suspect because it was unusually late for an Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail to be as fresh as the one shown in the photo for this record or even to be in flight at all on the record date. However, in my later private e-mail communication with the submitter, she indicated that she was visiting this area daily as part of a Maryland breeding bird atlasing project, had copious daily notes of her field activity, and was quite certain of the date of the record.
