Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Natural Habitat

Found in deciduous woodlands, forests, gardens, parks, and along rivers and streams. They are common in eastern North America.

Diet & Feeding

Adults feed on nectar from various flowers, including milkweed, thistles, and butterfly bushes. Caterpillars feed on the leaves of host plants such as wild cherry, birch, and tulip tree.

Behavior Patterns

Adults are active during the day, especially in sunny areas. They are known for their strong flight and for nectaring on a wide variety of flowers, often seen fluttering from blossom to blossom. Males often engage in 'puddling' behavior, where they gather on moist soil or sand to extract salts and minerals.

Risks & Benefits

Benefits: Eastern Tiger Swallowtails are important pollinators for many flowering plants, contributing to plant reproduction and ecosystem health. They are also a food source for birds and other predators. Risks: Generally no direct risks to humans. Caterpillars can sometimes cause minor defoliation on host trees, but rarely to a damaging extent.

Identified on: 8/9/2025