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 49 - 72 of 1277 verified sightings
Observation date: Aug 20, 2023
Submitted by: Tuesday
Region: Asotin County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 10, 2023
Observation date: Aug 19, 2023
Submitted by: Grantheath
Region: Sutter County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Sep 07, 2023
Observation date: Jul 03, 2016
Submitted by: Topaz
Region: Summit County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 22, 2023
Observation date: Jul 09, 2020
Submitted by: Robb Hannawacker
Region: San Juan County, Utah, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 21, 2023
Observation date: Jul 19, 2023
Submitted by: Vickie J Anderson
Region: Mason County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 10, 2023
Observation date: Jul 17, 2023
Submitted by: flyinganvil
Region: Josephine County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 07, 2023
Observation date: Aug 04, 2023
Submitted by: mstanek
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 05, 2023
Observation date: Jul 29, 2023
Submitted by: MAKI
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Aug 03, 2023
Observation date: Jun 06, 2023
Submitted by: deedeepetersen
Region: Clallam County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 02, 2023
Observation date: Jul 27, 2023
Submitted by: Amanda and Graham
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jul 28, 2023
Observation date: Jun 05, 2023
Submitted by: katb1
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jul 27, 2023
Observation date: Jul 07, 2023
Submitted by: katb1
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jul 27, 2023
Observation date: Jul 07, 2023
Submitted by: katb1
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jul 27, 2023
Observation date: Jul 10, 2023
Submitted by: nova79
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jul 26, 2023
Observation date: Jul 25, 2023
Submitted by: Tom Uslan
Region: Yolo County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 26, 2023
Observation date: May 16, 2023
Submitted by: Boundarygal
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: Paul Prappas
Verified date: Jul 23, 2023
Observation date: Jul 04, 2023
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Stillwater County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 18, 2023
Observation date: Jul 04, 2023
Submitted by: FullCircle Florals
Region: Tehama County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 12, 2023
Observation date: Jun 25, 2023
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 10, 2023
Observation date: Jul 01, 2023
Submitted by: NikkiM
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 10, 2023
Observation date: Jul 07, 2023
Submitted by: JenniferLupine
Region: Pierce County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 10, 2023
Observation date: Jul 08, 2023
Submitted by: Beeeater
Region: Thurston County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 09, 2023
Observation date: Jul 01, 2023
Submitted by: madamirie
Region: Monterey County, California, United States
Verified by: Ken Davenport
Verified date: Jul 03, 2023
Observation date: Jun 29, 2023
Submitted by: aflower
Region: La Plata County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: mikefisher
Verified date: Jul 02, 2023
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