Tiger Swallowtails (Papilio glaucus) are one of the largest butterflies that can be found in West Central Florida and are certainly one of the most recognizable. Adults are up to 12 centimeters broad and the males of the species are a bright yellow with black tiger stripes. Female Tiger Swallowtails can also be found in a black form that mimics the distasteful Pipevine Swallowtail. Females still retain their tiger striping but the stripes are just a slightly darker pattern on their already dark wings. This black form of the female Tiger Swallowtail helps females of the species to live longer and have a better chance of mating and egg laying.
Tiger Swallowtails will host on wild cherry, willow and sweetbay magnolia. Caterpillars create silken pads on the leaves of their host and curl the leaves around themselves. This leaf rolling behavior keep the larvae well hidden from predators.
A quick trip through the MOSI Backwoods Forest Preserve will take you to an area 
that is a pond in wet seasons and a low muddy patch of earth during the dry season. Surrounding that pond area are dozens of Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) which are currently in bloom. Those buttonbush and the globular clusters of white flowers are a great draw for many species of swallowtail butterflies. Next time you visit, take a quick jaunt to Buttonbush Pond and see how many swallowtails you can spot.
Photo credit: Tiger Swallowtails by Jill Staake
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