Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3
Papilio appalachiensis
This record describes Papilio appalachiensis (species). Recorded family: Papilionidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Similar in shape to the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, but much larger. Differences from the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, which commonly flies at the same time and in the same locations as Appalachian: 1) Noticeably larger than the spring brood of Eastern. 2) Yellow submarginal band on the ventral forewing tends to be continuous instead of a series of half-moons as in Eastern. 3) Appalachians have a straight, aligned black-yellow separation on the upperside of the wings, and the yellow on the hindwings extends in a deep V; in the Eastern, the yellow on the hindwing is more rounded (near the tail) with a convex boundary with the black border (Legrand and Howard 2006). 4) Shape in more angular, with the hindwings straighter, extending in a continuous line from forewing to hindwing. In Eastern, the hindwings tend to be more rounded. 5) Dorsal hindwing of females contains little blue; Easterns have much more blue in the hindwing. Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail is a recently described species (see below) that is common in the Appalachian Mountains.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Papilionoidea
- Family
- Papilionidae (Swallowtails, Parnassians)
- Subfamily
- Papilioninae
- Tribe
- Papilionini
- Genus
- Papilio
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Rich deciduous woodlands, often in the same habitats as Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
Geographic Range
Common in the Appalachian Mountains, from Pennsylvania to Georgia. More abundant at higher elevations but also found at lower elevations and valleys in mountainous terrain.
Seasonal Activity
A single flight period from spring to early summer. In North Carolina, generally late April through late June. Emerges about a month later than Eastern, which flies through September.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Unknown. Caterpillars will feed on Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), but adults do not lay eggs on this tree in laboratory trials.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Papilio appalachiensis. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Matthew Roth; Additional contributions by cotinis , Steve Nanz , Will Cook
Frequently Asked Questions About Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3
What is Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3?
Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3 (Papilio appalachiensis) is a species in the family Papilionidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3?
Noticeably larger than the spring brood of Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
How do you identify Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3?
Similar in shape to the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, but much larger. Differences from the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, which commonly flies at the same time and in the same locations as Appalachian: 1) Noticeably larger than the spring brood of Eastern. 2) Yellow submarginal band on the ventral forewing tends to be continuous instead of a series of half-moons as in Eastern. 3) Appalachians have a straight, aligned black-yellow separation on the upperside of the wings, and the yellow on the hindwings extends in a deep V; in the Eastern, the yellow on the hindwing is more rounded (near the tail) with a convex boundary with the black border (Legrand and Howard 2006). 4) Shape in more angular, with the hindwings straighter, extending in a continuous line from forewing to hindwing. In Eastern, the hindwings tend to be more rounded. 5) Dorsal hindwing of females contains little blue; Easterns have much more blue in the hindwing.
Where is Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Rich deciduous woodlands, often in the same habitats as Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. |
| Range | Common in the Appalachian Mountains, from Pennsylvania to Georgia. More abundant at higher elevations but also found at lower elevations and valleys in mountainous terrain. |
What does Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3 eat?
The diet of the Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3 includes Unknown. Caterpillars will feed on Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), but adults do not lay eggs on this tree in laboratory trials..
When is Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3 active?
Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail - Hodges#4183.3: seasonal activity - A single flight period from spring to early summer. In North Carolina, generally late April through late June. Emerges about a month later than Eastern, which flies through September..