The Tiger Swallowtail, like the Eastern Black Swallowtail, has a long tail on the end of each wing (hence the name). The Tiger Swallowtail can be found throughout most parts of the United States and Canada and is native to North America.
Tiger Swallowtails lay their eggs, one per leaf, on Sweet Bay Magnolia and Tulip poplar trees. Once the caterpillar hatches from the egg, it eats its shell and then begins to munch on the host tree's leaves. It changes color as it sheds it skin, from brown to light green to dark brown again (just before it pupates).
These yellow beauties prefer the nectar of coneflowers and Petunia and especially love shades of red and pink. I have found ours (like the one pictured above) drinking the nectar from purple butterfly bush flowers as well.
What kinds of butterflies are flying about in your life?
6 comments:
BIG ones. I'm not sure of their names and couldn't really describe the markings well, but this weekend I was amazed at how many really large, gorgeous butterflies we happened to spot. Many were at the farm where our csa shares are grown (we got to visit on Saturday) but even our own backyard is hosting some lovely ones!
Since we moved I hardly ever see butterflies anymore. Sigh. I need to change that but it is going to be a lot of work and it is too hot right now for working in flower beds.
So this is the beauty that has been seen visiting my hanging basket. Thanks for the information!
Blessings, Debbie
We've seen lots and lots of swallowtails this summer. Way more than usual and I absolutely love that!
we have seen a bunch of these too this year, and these tiny flitting, white ones are all over the garden.
i heart butterflies!
:)
jen
We have some Tiger Swallowtails flitting around, mostly I'm seeing cabbage moths, though. :( All the more reason to plant a butterfly garden!
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