← All creatures
NO. 003Eastern tiger swallowtail, male illustrationIllustration · not shown at life size

Butterflies / Insect

Eastern tiger swallowtail

Papilio glaucus

Adult · maleFind the right habitat

Yellow wings, black stripes, and little tails make this butterfly stand out near the trees.

Let’s look closer

Little clues

Three things to notice.

  1. Yellow wings with black stripes.

  2. Tails on the hindwings.

  3. Caterpillars eat tree leaves.

Out in the world

Where to look.

Around southeastern Wisconsin

Gardens near woodland.

When to look

Often May and June, then another generation in August.

Look closely. Leave your tiny neighbor where you found it.

A closer look

One clue is just the start.

Some females have dark wings instead of yellow ones. Another tiger swallowtail looks very similar, so stripes alone are not enough.

A special find can be hard to spot without being biologically rare. Encounters depend on season and habitat.

For curious grownups, too

Read a little further.

Original summaries, with references for deeper reading. Field notes are being checked against the supplied research.

Make a bug slide

Artwork & downloads.

Front artwork is made for a 3-inch clear disc. Revised artwork still needs a physical check. Reverse QR files use the confirmed permanent website.

Visit the print studio →