The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) is a common swallowtail butterfly of eastern North America. It has the “tails” on the hind wings that are found in swallowtails.
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio rutulus)
The Eastern tiger swallowtail is known for being the first drawing of a North America butterfly. John White drew this butterfly in 1587, while accompanying Sir Walter Raleigh’s third expedition to Virginia. This first drawing is named “Mamankanois” which is originated to be a Native American word for “butterfly.”
These butterfly use a wide range of food sources, most preferring to nectar on sturdy plants with red or pink flowers. They are also known for “puddling”, a behavior in which they congregate on mud, or puddles while extracting sodium ions and amino acids from these sources.
