Western Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio rutulus Lucas, 1852
Family: Papilionidae
Subfamily: Papilioninae
Identification: Upperside of hindwing with upper-most marginal spot yellow or lacking. Underside of forewing with separate yellow spots forming marginal band. Hindwing has narrow marginal spots and no orange tint except for 2 spots near end of inner margin.
Wing Span: 2 3/4 - 4 inches (7 - 10 cm).
Life History: Males patrol canyons or hilltops for receptive females. Females lay eggs singly on surface of host plant leaves. Caterpillars feed on leaves and rest on silken mats in shelters of curled leaves. Chrysalids hibernate.
Flight: One flight from June-July.
Caterpillar Hosts: Leaves of cottonwood and aspen (Populus), willows (Salix), wild cherry (Prunus), and ash (Fraxinus).
Adult Food: Nectar from many flowers including thistles, abelia, California buckeye, zinnia, and yerba santa.
Habitat: Woodlands near rivers and streams, wooded suburbs, canyons, parks, roadsides, and oases.
Range: Western North America from British Columbia south to southern New Mexico and Baja California; east to western South Dakota and southeast Colorado. A rare stray to central Nebraska.
Conservation: Not usually 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.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 1277 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 16, 2024
Submitted by: Champel
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Oct 19, 2024
Observation date: May 26, 2024
Submitted by: Bob Patton
Region: Greenlee County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 09, 2024
Observation date: Jun 14, 2024
Submitted by: ncrosbyrd
Region: Apache County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: John Saba
Verified date: Oct 09, 2024
Observation date: Jun 18, 2023
Submitted by: RNeilson
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Oct 09, 2024
Observation date: Sep 01, 2024
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: Orange County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 15, 2024
Observation date: Jun 17, 2024
Submitted by: Mhockett92
Region: Elko County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 07, 2024
Observation date: Aug 25, 2024
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 27, 2024
Observation date: May 19, 2013
Submitted by: Alison Davies
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 16, 2024
Observation date: Aug 14, 2024
Submitted by: D eckles
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 16, 2024
Observation date: Aug 07, 2024
Submitted by: Dwake
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 08, 2024
Observation date: Jun 24, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Jackson County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 25, 2024
Observation date: Jun 27, 2024
Submitted by: k.d.stutzman
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 22, 2024
Observation date: Jul 14, 2024
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Kern County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 18, 2024
Observation date: Jul 16, 2024
Submitted by: Zencoyote
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 17, 2024
Observation date: Jul 03, 2024
Submitted by: pgericks
Region: Snohomish County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 13, 2024
Observation date: Jul 07, 2024
Submitted by: Marta Reece
Region: Torrance County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jul 13, 2024
Observation date: Jul 07, 2024
Submitted by: MinPinLord
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jul 11, 2024
Observation date: Jul 08, 2024
Submitted by: helnmj5811
Region: Sacramento County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 08, 2024
Observation date: Jul 06, 2024
Submitted by: pjrosa
Region: Solano County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 06, 2024
Observation date: Jul 04, 2024
Submitted by: BrushBunny
Region: Storey County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 04, 2024
Observation date: Jul 02, 2024
Submitted by: Luna-Linuche.76
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 03, 2024
Observation date: Jun 13, 2024
Submitted by: Cassie M
Region: Montrose County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 02, 2024
Observation date: Jun 11, 2024
Submitted by: Cascade Colors
Region: Grand County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 02, 2024
Observation date: Jun 24, 2024
Submitted by: Nicksvette
Region: Del Norte County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 25, 2024
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