Eastern Salmonfly vs Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Eastern Salmonfly Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Scientific Name Pteronarcys biloba Papilio glaucus
Order Plecoptera Lepidoptera
Family Pteronarcyidae Papilionidae
Size 30-40 mm 79-140 mm wingspan
Habitat Rivers & Streams Rivers & Streams
Diet Detritivores Nectar Feeders
Regions North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Eastern Salmonfly

A large dark stonefly of Appalachian streams that emerges in late spring. Nymphs process leaf litter and are important detritivores.

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Did You Know?

Nymphs retain functional gills throughout development, unlike many stoneflies that lose them with age.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

A large yellow butterfly with bold black tiger stripes and blue and orange markings on the hindwing margins. Females can occur in a dark morph mimicking the toxic pipevine swallowtail.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar has large false eyespots and can evert an orange forked gland called an osmeterium that emits a foul smell to deter predators.