Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar

Deciduous forests, woodlands, suburban parks, and gardens across Eastern North America.

Leaves of host plants including wild cherry, tulip tree, birch, ash, and willow.

Early instars resemble bird droppings to avoid predation. Later instars develop large eyespots to mimic a snake. They possess an osmeterium, a foul-smelling gland they can evert when threatened.

Harmless to humans; may cause minor defoliation of host trees. As adults, they are important pollinators.