Western Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Large, colorful and altogether conspicuous, the Western Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) is among the most widespread butterflies of the western United States, as well as one of the easiest Californian butterflies to identify at a glance.

Western Tiger Swallowtail feeding on thistle nectar at San Joaquin River NWR

With a nearly four-inch wingspan and brilliant yellow wings patterned with distinctive black tiger striping, this swallowtail is hard to miss!  Tiger Swallowtails are equally likely to be found in woodlands, riparian areas and other wild lands as they are in backyards and suburban parks, provided nectar sources are present. 


Adult Tiger Swallowtails feed on the nectar of a variety of plants, from wild thistles and our native California Buckeye, to backyard flowers like zinnias (I've even seen them on peach blossoms).  Likewise, females lay their eggs on several different host plants, including aspen and cottonwood (in the Populus genus), willows (Salix), alder (Alnus), ash (Fraxinus), and wild cherry (Prunus), among others.

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