There are 7 species of swallowtail butterflies in BC, all in the genus Papilio (Guppy & Shepard, 2001.) People seldom miss seeing these large butterflies as they flutter by or gather at wet spots to drink or on flowers to obtain nectar. Careful observation allows us to identify them to species more easily than some other butterflies, with the recognition that taxonomy can be dynamic in the world of insects.

While I was at Riverside Park in Kamloops on May 22, 2018, the high water levels had receded a bit, leaving some damp, slightly muddy areas on the asphalt trail. Several swallowtails were drinking at the damp spots, allowing me to make a careful approach to obtain some photos. Although not very aesthetic, they do provide some details of two different species.

The largest individuals there were a couple of Two-tailed Tiger Swallowtails (Papilio multicaudatus pusillus.) The two tail extensions were apparent but I could not see the caudal lobe which can give them a 3-tailed appearance. The thin tiger stripes and thinner dark wing margin seem consistent with this species. It is the largest of our swallowtails. Preferred larval food plants are chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) and Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia.)

In addition to the previous species, a single Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon Lucas) was also drinking in the moist mud.

The pale creamy or chalky white base colour with broad tiger stripes and broad, dark wing margins distinguish this species (Pyle, 2002.) They have a single tail and are smaller than the Two-tailed Swallowtail. Larval food plants vary but include Saskatoon, buckbrush (Ceanothus sp.), bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata) and domestic apple (Malus pumila) (Guppy & Shepard, 2001.) Adults are often seen nectaring on the flowers of lilac (Syringa vulgaris.)
By visiting various habitats, naturalists should be able to find the 4 additional species that occur in the Kamloops area. Of the 7 species that occur in the province, only the Indra Swallowtail (Papilio indra Reakirt) does not occur in our area.

A new field guide has just bean released for butterflies in the west entitled “Butterflies of the Pacific Northwest” by Pyle & LaBar. It is available from Timber Press at http://www.timberpress.com/books/butterflies_pacific_northwest/pyle/9781604696936.

Literature Cited

Guppy, C.S. and J.H. Shepard. 2001. Butterflies of British Columbia. Royal British Columbia Museum. UBC Press, Vancouver, B.C. 414 pp.

Pyle, R.M. 2002, The Butterflies of Cascadia. Seattle Audubon Society. Seattle, Washington. 419 pp.