Caterpillar Identification Guide
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Genus-Species: Papilio glaucus
Host Plants: Wild cherry (Prunus species), Magnolia or
Cucumber tree (Magnolia species), Basswood (Tilia americana), Tulip tree (Liriodendron
tulipifera), Birch (Betula species), Ash (Fraxinus species), Cottonwood (Populus species),
American mountain ash (Sorbus americana), and Willow (Salix species).
Habitat: Wooded areas and open areas near woodlands.
Comments: The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail is a very
common and conspicuous butterfly of southern Wisconsin.
Caterpillars come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Some caterpillars are quite hairy,
while others are smooth. Despite differences between species, though, all caterpillars
share certain morphological features.
Take this quick quiz and see how much you know about caterpillars. This quiz is intended for fun, in
a random-facts-can-be-cool kind of way.
How does this magic happen? Learn about metamorphosis - the process of transformation from an
immature form to an adult bitterfly.