Species Page: Western Tiger Swallowtail (Pterourus rutulus)

Family: Papilionidae

Status: Rare resident/stray

NENHP Ranking: Not listed

Range: The Western Tiger Swallowtail is found from the West Coast eastward into western South Dakota and Nebraska.

Larval Hostplant(s): Woody shrubs and trees are listed, of which the following are found in the state: Cottonwood (Populus deltoides), willows (Salix species), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), plums and cherrys (Prunus species) and ashes (Fraxinus species).

Broods/Flight Times: A single flight occurs in June and July.

Overwintering: As pupae.

Habitat: Frequents riparian woodlands and wooded suburbs in the western US.

Avg. Wingspan: 2 3/4 – 4 inches

Found at:

Similar Species: Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Two-tailed Swallowtail

Notes: Doug Long collected several specimens of this western species around Holbrook in the late 1950s or early 1960s. Excepting occasional unusual circumstances (when it is probably overlooked) it is likely absent from the state a great majority of the time.