Papilio rutulus

University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »

Common NameWestern Tiger Swallowtail SeasonalityOne yearly flight, peaking in June. IdentificationIn Alberta, this species is likely to be encountered only in the southern mountains south of the Crowsnest Pass, where the very similar Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (P. canadensis) also flies. The Western Tiger has yellow rather than red crescents along the margin of the hindwing underside, has a thicker black cap to the orange spot in the hindwing anal spot, and has a predominantly black rather than yellow forewing fringe.

Scientific Name Papilio rutulus Common Name Western Tiger Swallowtail Habitat Montane woodlands and along water courses. Seasonality One yearly flight, peaking in June. Identification

In Alberta, this species is likely to be encountered only in the southern mountains south of the Crowsnest Pass, where the very similar Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (P. canadensis) also flies. The Western Tiger has yellow rather than red crescents along the margin of the hindwing underside, has a thicker black cap to the orange spot in the hindwing anal spot, and has a predominantly black rather than yellow forewing fringe.

Life History

The eggs are smooth, green and round, laid singly on the host plant (Pyle 2002). Mature larvae are velvety green with a pair of yellow-rimmed eyespots and a yellow stripe on the mid-thoracic segment (Pyle 2002). The tan and brown-streaked pupa overwinters (Pyle 2002). This species tends to have an extended emergence period and a longer lifespan than smaller species (Pyle 2002).

Conservation Not of concern. Diet Info The Adults are avid flower visitors and males often mud-puddle (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Larvae feed on a variety of shrubs in B.C., including alder, apple, birch, cherry, poplar and willows (Guppy & Shepard 2001). Range Ranges from southern BC south throughout the western US (Opler 1999). The first confirmed Alberta specimen of this species was collected by Ted Pike in the Castle River region in 2002 (B.C. Schmidt, unpubl. data).

Page Citation

"Species Details - Papilio rutulus, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-2785/9-478285. Accessed 08 Jul. 2024.