Did you know that the highly recognizable tiger swallowtail has a dimorphic black form? Or that there are several different species of this butterfly that look almost exactly the same? Keep reading to learn more about these and other tiger swallowtail key facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scientific Name:<\/strong><\/td>| Papilio<\/em><\/td><\/tr> | Type of Animal:<\/strong><\/td> | Insect; swallowtail butterfly<\/td><\/tr> | Number of Species:<\/strong><\/td> | 4<\/td><\/tr> | Physical Description:<\/strong><\/td> | Large, colorful butterflies. Most are yellow with black stripes, though some are black with darker black stripes. Many have bright blue and orange markings on their lower wings. Yellow tiger swallowtails have striped yellow and black bodies, while black tigers have solid black bodies.<\/td><\/tr> | Distribution:<\/strong><\/td> | Native to North America; found throughout Canada, the United States, and parts of Mexico.<\/td><\/tr> | Habitat:<\/strong><\/td> | Temperate forests, urban woodlands and wetlands, mountains, desert regions.<\/td><\/tr> | Size:<\/strong><\/td> | Wingspan up to 5.5 inches in diameter.<\/td><\/tr> | Lifespan:<\/strong><\/td> | 2 months<\/td><\/tr> | Diet:<\/strong><\/td> | Caterpillars eat a variety of leafy host plants, including: | – Tulip trees – Magnolia trees – Wild cherry – Willow – Cottonwood – Aspen Adult butterflies feed on the nectar of many flowers, including: – Milkweed – Lilacs – Joe Pye weed – Zinnias – Roses – Wild cherry blossoms – Thistles<\/td><\/tr> Predators:<\/strong><\/td> | Tiger swallowtails may be preyed on by various animals, including: | – Birds – Cats – Dogs – Rats – Raccoons<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n What is a Tiger Swallowtail?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nTiger swallowtails are beautiful large butterflies that can be found<\/a> throughout North America. There are four distinct species which appear almost identical to each other: the Eastern, Western, Appalachian, and Canadian tiger swallowtails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These bright yellow butterflies are named for the tiger-like black stripes on their wings. Some female tiger swallowtails are all black<\/a> with darker black stripes and extra blue markings on their lower wings.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n |