The Western Tiger Swallowtail is the western counterpart of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, displaying the same vivid yellow and black striped pattern with blue and orange hindwing spots. It is one of the most familiar large butterflies west of the Rockies. Males congregate at moist soil and puddles to obtain sodium and minerals.
Best time to see a Western Tiger Swallowtail
The best time to see a Western Tiger Swallowtail is May–July, when about 73% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 27,291 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Western Tiger Swallowtail? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Western Tiger Swallowtail sightings near you
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