The Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail is a species of swallowtail butterfly native to eastern North America, especially the Appalachian Mountains. It is believed to be a hybrid of two closely related species, the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis) and the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), and shares traits with both.

In the wild, it can be easily distinguished from the Canadian Tiger by its larger size, nearly twice as large. However, telling it apart from the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail can be more challenging. The Eastern Tiger typically shows more blue on the hindwings and has a spotted yellow band on the underside of the forewings, while the Appalachian Tiger has a solid, broad yellow band in that same area.

 

“Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail” by Sara Bright

 

Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail Facts

Butterfly Family: Swallowtail Butterflies (Papilionidae)

Butterfly Subfamily: Papilioninae

Butterfly Wingspan: 3 3/8 – 4 1/2 inches

Butterfly Habitat: Deciduous broadleaf forests of mid-to-high elevations in the southern Appalachian Mountains. Seldom strays far from wooded areas

 

🪴 Host Plants

These are the plants where females lay eggs and caterpillars feed:

• Ash (Fraxinus spp.)

• Birch (Betula spp.)

• Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

• Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

• Hickory (Carya spp.)

• Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)

• Sweetbay Magnolia (Magnolia virginiana)

• Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera)

• Wild Plum (Prunus americana)

 

🌸 Nectar Plants

Adult Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail butterflies feed on nectar from a variety of native flowers:

• Blackberry (Rubus spp.)

• Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)

• Cockspur Hawthorn (Crataegus crus-galli)

• Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

• Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)

• Northern Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera)

• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)