A popular Tiger Swallowtail west of the Mississippi River, the Two-tailed Swallowtail is blessed with an extra pair of extensions at the tip of its hindwings.
Technically one could argue that the Two-tailed Swallowtail has four tails, but the name counts the number of tails per wing, not in total. Like other Tiger Swallowtails, this species is yellow with black stripes, creating a visual resemblance to the great jungle cat. The thin black stripes are longest near the body and get progressively shorter toward the tips of the wings. The hindwings are scalloped and imbued with shades of iridescent blue and burnt orange at the center line. A long and short tail flank the bottom edge of each hindwing. The Two-tailed Swallowtail is one of the biggest butterflies found in the western part of the continent.
Caterpillars have yellow faces and are fleshy and green when young. They are wider at the head and neck than at the rear. Small eyespots behind the head are followed by a white and black collar. Tiny light blue/lavender dots ring the segment before the collar, but there are more on the third through sixth segments after the collar. Caterpillars of this species are usually found eating the leaves of chokcherry, hoptree, and ash trees.
Adults are found near water sources like streams and creeks. They drink flower nectar and can be spotted on blossoms as well as in flight. They are active spring through autumn. Look for them in canyons, woodlands, and areas with moving water.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Papilionidae
Genus:Papilio
Species:multicaudata
Identifying Information
Scientific Name: Papilio multicaudata
Category:
Butterfly or Moth
Size (Adult; Length): 90mm to 127mm (3.51in to 4.95in)
Note: An insect's reach is not limited by lines drawn on a map and therefore species may appear in areas, regions and/or states beyond those listed above as they are driven by environmental factors (such as climate change), available food supplies and mating patterns. Grayed-out selections indicate that the subject in question has not been reported in that particular territory. U.S. states and Canadian provinces / territories are clickable to their respective bug listings.
Butterfly and Moth Anatomy
1
Antennae: Butterflies and Moths have a pair of antennae on the head used as sensors.
2
Head: The head is home to the insect's eyes, antennae, and proboscis.
3
Thorax: Home to the three pairs of legs as well as vital internal organs.
4
Abdomen: Contains vital internal organs such as the heart(s) and reproduction facilities.
5
Forewing: The upper, forward wing pair used for flying.
6
Hindwing: The lower, rearward wing pair used for flying.
NOTE: Butterflies and Moths are part of the Lepidopteran order as they share many similarities.
Colors: yellow, black, blue, orange
