#3124 · 🦋 butterflies & moths

Western Tiger Swallowtail

Papilio rutulus

10 photos from iNaturalist (Creative Commons) · credits & licences

1. © Tom Benson · CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
2. © Don Loarie · CC BY 4.0
3. © Alan Liang · CC BY-NC 4.0
4. © kjcarter · CC BY-NC 4.0
5. © boazsolorio · CC BY-NC 4.0
6. Murphy Ranch Rd, Milpitas, CA, US:© mmd1330 · CC BY-NC 4.0
7. Contra Costa County, CA, USA:© Bob Hislop · CC BY-NC 4.0
8. Industrial District West, Seattle, WA, USA:© davideperry · CC BY-NC 4.0
9. NW 27th Ct, Vancouver, WA, US:© stevejbader · CC BY-NC 4.0
10. Granite Bay:© Hawk T. · CC BY 4.0

what is it?

Papilio rutulus , the western tiger swallowtail , is a common swallowtail butterfly of western North America, frequently seen in urban parks and gardens, as well as in rural woodlands and riparian areas. It is a member of the Papilio genus, of which Papilio appalachiensis and Papilio xuthus are also members. It is a large, brightly colored and active butterfly, rarely seen at rest; its wingspan is 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in), and its wings are yellow...

base stats

NL sightings 0iNaturalist, research grade
worldwide 36,075iNaturalist observations

Bars compare against all animals on log scales: up to 300,000 Dutch and 600,000 worldwide sightings (the most-seen species), 150 t (blue whale), 30 m and 400 years (Greenland shark).

fun facts

No confirmed wild sightings in the Netherlands on iNaturalist: you'd have to travel for this one.
36,075 observations worldwide on iNaturalist.
Scientifically named by Hippolyte Lucas in 1852 (174 years ago).