Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Natural Habitat

Deciduous woods, forest edges, river valleys, gardens, and parks

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on flower nectar from various plants (e.g., milkweed, joe-pye weed); larvae eat leaves of deciduous trees like wild cherry and tulip tree

Behavior Patterns

Active during the day; males often engage in 'puddling' by gathering at damp soil to obtain minerals; females lay single green eggs on host plant leaves

Risks & Benefits

Benefits include pollination of local flora; poses no risk to humans or pets; caterpillars may cause minor defoliation of host trees but rarely significant damage

Identified on: 2/25/2026