Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail
Pterourus [Papilio] appalachiensis
Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail, a recent split from Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, was described by Harry Pavulaan and David Wright in 2002. It was first recorded in Georgia on the Coleman River in Rabun County on May 24, 2008 (P. Howard). It is locally common in the Blue Ridge Mountain counties in rich deciduous woodlands and on dirt roads through them. The hostplant is Black Cherry (Prunus serotina). There is one brood from late April into June, with a few individuals persisting until July. It is noticeably larger than Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, with which it flies. Appys have a continuous yellow ventral submarginal band on the FW while Eastern Tiger Swallowtail has a ventral submarginal FW that is a discontinuous row of yellow crescents. Appys have a wider and more spectacular blue band on the under HW than Easterns. The female Appys are very wary and skittish, and the seldom seen black morph female is a prize. Early Date: May 24 (Rabun County); Late Date: May 31 (Rabun County). Conservation Status: Secure.
