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 25 - 48 of 1277 verified sightings
Observation date: Jun 25, 2024
Submitted by: baileyjt
Region: Alameda County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 25, 2024
Observation date: Jun 14, 2024
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 15, 2024
Observation date: Jun 11, 2024
Submitted by: Bwabbit
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jun 12, 2024
Observation date: Jun 09, 2024
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 12, 2024
Observation date: Jun 10, 2024
Submitted by: yhelfman
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 12, 2024
Observation date: Jun 07, 2024
Submitted by: Cactuswren1976
Region: Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: stevecary
Verified date: Jun 10, 2024
Observation date: Jun 07, 2024
Submitted by: Mzteachuh
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 08, 2024
Observation date: Jun 05, 2024
Submitted by: Lisahug
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jun 06, 2024
Observation date: May 31, 2024
Submitted by: Thomas J. Ryder
Region: Fremont County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 03, 2024
Observation date: May 07, 2024
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 14, 2024
Observation date: Jul 11, 2019
Submitted by: tiki33wv
Region: Ouray County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: May 07, 2024
Observation date: May 02, 2024
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 03, 2024
Observation date: May 01, 2024
Submitted by: Zena Browning
Region: Santa Cruz County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: May 02, 2024
Observation date: Apr 24, 2024
Submitted by: Mzteachuh
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 26, 2024
Observation date: Apr 07, 2024
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 09, 2024
Observation date: Mar 31, 2024
Submitted by: Beazured
Region: Sacramento County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Apr 01, 2024
Observation date: Oct 03, 2023
Submitted by: richerry33
Region: Marin County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Nov 30, 2023
Observation date: May 28, 2023
Submitted by: Gordon Phillips
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Nov 12, 2023
Observation date: Aug 24, 2023
Submitted by: dfagan746
Region: Deschutes County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 29, 2023
Observation date: Aug 24, 2023
Submitted by: dfagan746
Region: Deschutes County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Oct 29, 2023
Observation date: Oct 01, 2023
Submitted by: Varn
Region: Jefferson County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Oct 03, 2023
Observation date: Jun 24, 2023
Submitted by: Dobber31
Region: San Mateo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 16, 2023
Observation date: Jul 12, 2023
Submitted by: Paul C. Agidius
Region: Latah County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Sep 12, 2023
Observation date: Jul 21, 2023
Submitted by: flyinganvil
Region: Latah County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: stevekohler
Verified date: Sep 12, 2023
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