Tiger Swallowtail
(Adopted 1991)

Except for the Monarch, the Tiger Swallowtails are North America's most familiar butterflies. The Eastern Tiger is well named for its vertical black stripes on yellow wings.There are 2 female forms-one is yellow and black, like the male, and the second has all-black wings. The black female is most prevalent in the South and is believed to mimic the Pipe-vine Swallowtail. The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is found in the eastern U.S. and is replaced in the northernmost states and southern Canada by the smaller Canadian Tiger Swallowtail. Look for this butterfly in woodlands, suburban gardens, and parks. The adults have several flights from spring through late summer. The swallowtails nectar at flowers such as lilic, buttonbush, thistles, and milkweeds. Caterpillars live in folded leaf shelters and eat the leaves of yellow poplar, wild cherry, and sweetbay.