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Old World Swallowtail |
| Near the Summit of Mount Baldy above Eagle River, at about 3000', there were quite a few Old World Swallowtails basking and courting. Alaska's other swallowtail, the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail is more commonly seen at lower elevations. The Old World has a larger black marking on the forewings, next to the body. There are also differences in the striping of the hindwing. Here's a Canadian Tiger for comparison. Both types of swallowtail overwinter as pupae. During the flight season, males patrol mountaintops, waiting for females. Old Worlds range through most of Alaska, Canada, and in the "Lower 48" west of the Mississippi. They also live throught most of Northern Europe and parts of Asia. The subspecies aliaskaaoccurs in Alaska and several Canadian provinces. Preferred host plants vary depending on geographical subspecies; aliaskaafeed on Arctic Wormwood. Click to see an Old World Swallowtail caterpillar, photographed by Carol Griswold. |
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Three more views of Old World Swallowtail Butterflies, also |
You will find more information on this species
of butterfly here and here. | |||
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