Eastern Tiger Swallowtail females lay their green eggs singly on the upper surface of larval host plants: wild cherry, white ash, tulip poplar, magnolia and other trees. As the eggs hatch, the odd looking caterpillars begin eating and molting.

 

 

As shown in this photo, the caterpillar has a huge bulbous anterior end with large eyespots. Its head is tucked under this enlarged area.

 

 

 

 

 

In the photograph at right, you can see the head facing down at an angle near its three walking legs. The 5-pair of bristled prolegs were used by this individual to clasp to the finger of the photographer.

In the photograph below, the caterpillar's head is facing the photographer.

Although the coloration of this individual was beige, some caterpillars of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail are green. The white slit opening above its head is the opening where an orange osmeterium is extruded when the caterpillar is disturbed. The osmeterium emits an unpleasant odor to ward off predators.

After pupating, adults emerge.

Males and females have different coloration. The male has tiger-like stripes on its forewings and black along the margins of both forewings and hindwings. It also has a black stripe along the center of its yellow body.

There are two different color forms of the female. One has four stripes of yellow like the male and an extensive area of blue scales along its hindwings. The abdomen is similar in color to that of the male.

The other color form is black with an extensive area of blue scales on its hindwings. Its abdomen is black. This form mimics the Pipevine Swallowtail. Since the Pipevine Swallowtail is avoided because it is distasteful to its predators, this female form benefits.

Shown at right is a male.

Males often cluster in large populations on moist ground as shown below.

Photographs on this page were taken in Ohio. Although Eastern Tiger Swallowtails have been seen in the garden, none have been photographed.

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Links:

Index to Butterfly and Moth Visitors to Gardens

Index To Photographs of Plants in the Gardens

Plant Lists by Garden

Conservancy of SW Florida Butterfly Garden Home Page

Conservancy of SW Florida Home Page.

Please report errors to Susan Snyder at ssnyder2@columbus.rr.com