Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail

Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio appalachiensis)

Home | Butterflies & Skippers | Dragonflies & Damselflies | Wildflowers

DISTRIBUTION in North Carolina: Appalachian Mountains, from Pennsylvania to Georgia. Ranges primarily at higher elevations but also found at lower elevations and valleys in mountainous terrain. No known Piedmont records at present.

ABUNDANCE in North Carolina: Common to very common. Often outnumbers Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, at least at certain periods in its brood. Further data needed to clarify abundance, but not a scarce species.

FLIGHT PERIOD in North Carolina: A single spring flight. Adults begin emergence in late April or early May, perhaps a month after the Eastern Tiger at the same elevation. They fly well into June. Flight is completed once the main summer flight of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail begins.

Distribution, abundance, flight period, and map information provided by Notes on the Butterflies of North Carolina.

Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio appalachiensis)

05/21/04 · Ashe County, NC · male

05/16/05 · Ashe County, NC · male

05/29/06 · Ashe County, NC ·
(Appalachian Tiger on right - Eastern Tiger on left)

5/31/05 · Ashe County, NC ·
(Appalachian and Eastern Tiger Swallowtails puddling)

Ron Gatrelle wrote: These are mostly Appalachian Tigers except the one at the far right and closed wing one just above it. Compare the Eastern at far right with Appalachian far left (use ruler to measure FW, not curved and fuller dark band on HW of Eastern, its crescent shaped yellow HW spots, and undulating HW margin). Compare Eastern closed wing with Appalachian closed wing behind it.