| Canadian Tiger Swallowtail | |
|---|---|
| In Ontario | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Papilionidae |
| Tribe: | Papilionini |
| Genus: | Papilio |
| Species: | P. canadensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Papilio canadensis (Rothschild & Jordan, 1906) |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Pterourus canadensis |
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The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis) is a species of the Papilionidae family. It was once classified as a subspecies of Papilio glaucus.
Contents |
The wingspan of this particular species is 67 to 80 mm long. There are two adult morphs yellow and black, although the black form is considered quite rare. This species is very similar to the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and has a noticeably smaller wingspan. Unlike the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail the yellow marginal band is continuous. The hindwing has many orange scales, on both morphs. This species has also been known to be hybridized with both the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Western Tiger Swallowtail even if this is extremely rare.
A large green caterpillar with an enlarged head. It has 4 yellow dots and 2 false eyes with bluish centers. A profile view of this caterpillar is similar with that of a snake-like figure. The immature larvae are brown and white to mimic bird droppings, this mimicry makes it unappealing to predators.
This butterfly is found in most provinces and territories in Canada, as its name implies. Its range extends north of the Arctic Circle in Yukon, and to Churchill in Manitoba, Little Shagamu River in Ontario, and to Schefferville in Quebec. It has not been reported from Labrador but has been seen in western Newfoundland. It is seen in the northern-third of the United States. Within this range it is a very common and well known butterfly, even more so around woodland edges. It is one of the most popular puddling species and often hundreds will gather at a single puddle.
Adults fly during spring and summer and there is 1 brood. Females lay eggs singly on the host plant. The caterpillar will fold the host plants leaves and tie them together with silk they will then eat from this structure. The pupae will over winter then emerge in May.