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Project Noah Nature School
Papilio glaucus
Male is yellow with dark tiger stripes. Female has 2 forms: one yellow like the male and the other black with shadows of dark stripes. Hindwing of both female forms has a row of striking blue chevrons and an iridescent blue wash over parts of the interior hindwing. The upperside hindwing has a prominent orange marginal spot that is generally larger than the row of pale marginal spots. On the underside of forewing of spring individuals the row of marginal spots may be merged into a continuous band, thus appearing similar to the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail. Wing Span: 2 1/2 - 4 1/2 inches (6.2 - 11.4 cm).
On the new Butterfly bush blooms.
Spotted on May 24, 2013
Submitted on May 24, 2013
3 Comments
Here is a reference I found that shows several photos of males and females, so you can try to see what "darker" means. http://butterfliesofamerica.com/papilio_...
The simple answer is no, can't use Eastern markers. There is little difference between male and female Western Tiger, Papilio rutulus, except that the female is "darker". The Western female does not have the dark form like an Eastern.
If you want to dive deep into Tiger Swallowtail butterflies, there are others:
Canadian Tiger Swallowtails, Papilio-canadensis http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/speci...
And a small group called Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio appalachiensis http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/speci...
The Appalachian group was one I discovered in research by accident this past year. :)
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/246...
Here is a Western Tiger Swallow tail. Do they have the same criteria for male/female?