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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies Lepidoptera Papilionidae Papilio rutulus Western Tiger Swallowtail |
Size:
wingspread 3-4 in. Recognition: Large; yellow, with fairly thick black band that extends down the outer edge of both the FW and HW; thin black stripes cut vertically through FW, getting shorter near FW tip; long tail. Flight period: Adults may be seen throughout the year in southern California. Hostplants: The larvae of the Western Tiger Swallowtail feed on a variety of deciduous broad-leaved trees such as cottonwoods, some willows, alder, western sycamore, elms, and some orchard trees (apple). Habitat: Commonly found along streams in woodland areas. Distribution: Western half of U.S., from Baja California north into British Columbia, east to Montana. |