Tiger Swallowtail

Swallowtail butterflies get their name from their unique hindwings which resemble the pointed tails on swallows.  To help them survive to become these beautiful butterflies, Mother Nature has designed camouflage for the swallowtail caterpillars that is ingenious. As very young caterpillars their camouflage makes them look like bird droppings. Later on they change color but develop snake eyespots which serve to scare away predators. In our area, these butterflies typically have two broods: one in the spring and the other during the summer.

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