One of the most common butterflies you’ll see in Virginia
is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). The adult female lays her eggs on sweetbay magnolia,
black cherry or tulip trees, specific host plants that the caterpillars will feed
on once the eggs hatch. Several broods hatch during the summer. When the last brood of caterpillars pupates
in the fall, those chrysalises will overwinter until spring, when the adult
butterflies will emerge.
Aptly named, Tiger Swallowtails are yellow with black
stripes. However, there is a dimorphic
form of the female, which is much darker -- same female butterfly, different
color.
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| Male Tiger Swallowtail |
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| Female Tiger Swallowtail |
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| Female Tiger Swallowtail -- Dimorphic form |
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