Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Papilio appalachiensis (
Pavulaan and
Wright, 2002). Synonyms, etc.
Pterourus appalachiensis Pavulaan and Wright, 2002
Size
Noticeably larger than the spring brood of Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
Identification
Similar in shape to the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, but much larger. Differences from the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, which commonly flies at the same time and in the same locations as Appalachian:
1) Noticeably larger than the spring brood of Eastern.
2) Yellow submarginal band on the ventral forewing tends to be continuous instead of a series of half-moons as in Eastern.
3) "Appalachians have a straight, aligned black-yellow separation on the upperside of the wings, and the yellow on
the hindwings extends in a deep V; in the Eastern, the yellow on the hindwing is more rounded (near the tail) with a convex boundary with the black border" (Legrand and Howard 2006).
4) Shape in more angular, with the hindwings straighter, extending in a continuous line from forewing to hindwing. In Eastern, the hindwings tend to be more rounded.
5) Dorsal hindwing of females contains little blue; Easterns have much more blue in the hindwing.
Range
Common in the Appalachian Mountains, from Pennsylvania to Georgia. More abundant at higher elevations but also found at lower elevations and valleys in mountainous terrain.
Habitat
Rich deciduous woodlands, often in the same habitats as Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
Season
A single flight period from spring to early summer. In North Carolina, generally late April through late June. Emerges about a month later than Eastern, which flies through September.
Food
Unknown. Caterpillars will feed on Black Cherry (Prunus serotina), but adults do not lay eggs on this tree in laboratory trials.
Remarks
Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail is a recently described species (see below) that is common in the Appalachian Mountains.
See Also
Papilio glaucus - Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio canadensis - Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
Print References
Kunte K, Shea C, Aardema ML, Scriber JM, Juenger TE, et al. 2011 Sex Chromosome Mosaicism and Hybrid Speciation among Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies. PLoS Genet 7(9): e1002274. doi:
10.1371/journal.pgen.1002274
Pavulaan H and Wright DM. 2002. Pterourus appalachiensis (Papilionidae: Papilioninae), a new swallowtail butterfly from the Appalachian region of the United States. The Taxonomic Report of the International Lepidoptera Survey 3(7):
1-20. (the original paper describing this new species)
