Papilio pilumnus
Boisduval, 1836
Three-tailed Tiger Swallowtail
Papilio pilumnus, the three-tailed tiger swallowtail, is a of in the Papilionidae. It is found in Texas, Mexico, and Guatemala. The larvae feed on leaves of Litsea species. As a member of the tiger swallowtail group, it shares the characteristic tail-like extensions on the hindwings with related species.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Papilio pilumnus: //pəˈpɪli.oʊ pɪˈlʌmnəs//
These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.
Identification
Distinguished from other tiger swallowtails by having three prominent tail-like extensions on each hindwing rather than the single tail found in many . The directly references this diagnostic feature. Similar in overall coloration to other Papilio with yellow and black banding patterns.
Images
Distribution
Texas (United States), Mexico, and Guatemala.
Diet
Larvae feed on leaves of Litsea .
Host Associations
- Litsea - larval plantLarvae feed on leaves
Similar Taxa
- Papilio glaucusEastern tiger swallowtail; differs in having only one tail per hindwing and more northern distribution
- Papilio appalachiensisAppalachian tiger swallowtail; differs in geographic range and tail count
- Papilio xuthusAsian swallowtail in same ; differs in Old World distribution
Sources and further reading
- BugGuide
- Wikipedia
- GBIF taxonomy match
- iNaturalist taxon
- NCBI Taxonomy
- Catalogue of Life
- Bird droppings, snake eyes, dead leaves: Swallowtails, Papilio spp. — Bug of the Week
- Papilionoidea | Blog
- Swallowtails where art thou? Swallowtail butterflies, Papilionidae — Bug of the Week
- Parsley poacher: Black swallowtail caterpillar, Papilio polyxenes — Bug of the Week
- Swallowtail soiree - Papilio glaucus — Bug of the Week
- Swallowtail soiree – Eastern tiger swallowtail, Papilio glaucus — Bug of the Week