Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
This large striped butterfly, South Carolina’s state butterfly, moves between tree canopies, flowers, puddles, and host plants.
Artwork inspired by Anna Heyward Taylor
Most males are yellow with four black tiger stripes; females may be yellow or nearly black, but both show blue scaling near the hindwing. Caterpillars feed on tulip tree, sweetbay, wild cherry, and other native trees, linking adult sightings to wooded habitat.
Groups of males gather on damp soil to absorb minerals. Watch without trampling the seep, and distinguish dark females from Pipevine Swallowtails by the tiger’s pattern, tails, and orange spots.
- State connection
- South Carolina designates this widespread eastern species as its state butterfly, providing the allowed cultural-primary basis.
- Tiger pattern
- four black tiger stripes
- Host-tree edge
- tulip-tree woodland edge
Quick guide
- Recognition
- Large wings with tiger stripes; females may be yellow or dark, with blue on hindwings.
- Flight
- Strong sailing flight high along woodland edges, descending to nectar and damp soil.
Recognize it through habitat and behavior
- Recognition
- Large wings with tiger stripes; females may be yellow or dark, with blue on hindwings.
- Flight
- Strong sailing flight high along woodland edges, descending to nectar and damp soil.
- Host plants
- Tulip tree, sweetbay, wild cherry, and related native trees support caterpillars.
- Observe responsibly
- Plant pesticide-free native hosts and avoid crowding mineral-gathering butterflies.
Good to know
Multiple broods fly from March into October, strongest during warm spring and summer. Plant pesticide-free native hosts and avoid crowding mineral-gathering butterflies.
Notice these
- four black tiger stripes
- strong canopy flight
- tulip-tree woodland edge