Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail Pterourus appalachiensis (Pavulaan & Wright, 2002)Western MD only    Synonyms: Papilio appalachiensis.
Kingdom Animalia   >   Phylum Arthropoda   >   Class Insecta   >   Order Lepidoptera   >   Family Papilionidae   >   Genus Pterourus   

Status:

Common in Garrett and Allegany Counties especially at higher elevations.

Description:

The Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail is a recently described species that lives in the Appalachian Mountains. Not easily distinguished from Eastern Tiger Swallowtail while on the wing, but in the hand look for the connected yellow bar on the ventral forewing. This is a diagnostic identification feature. There is also greatly reduced blue markings on the hindwing.

Relationships:

Host plant is unknown although caterpillars of Appalachian Swallowtails have been known to feed on Black Cherry (Bugguide).

There are 23 records in the project database.

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An Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail in Garrett Co., Maryland (5/23/2015). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

An Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail in Garrett Co., Maryland (5/23/2015). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

An Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail in Garrett Co., Maryland (5/23/2015). Photo by Jim Brighton. (MBP list)

An Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail in Allegany Co., Maryland (5/19/2019). Photo by Josh Emm. (MBP list)

An Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail in Garrett Co., Maryland (6/14/2008). The Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail is a recently described species that lives in the Appalachian Mountains. Not easily distinguished from Eastern Tiger Swallowtail while on the wing, but in the hand look for the connected yellow bar on the ventral forewing. This is a diagnostic identification feature. There is also greatly reduced blue markings on the hindwing. Photo by Steve Collins. (MBP list)

Here is the ventral forewing of an Eastern Tiger Swallowatil from Calvert Co., Maryland (9/1/2012) for comparison. Note the difference in the yellow bar area of the outer wing which is much darker and not as defined as the Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail. Photo by Richard Orr. (MBP list)


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