Tiger Swallowtails Laying Eggs on Sweet Bay Magnolia

12 years ago

Finally this year I've seen Eastern Tiger Swallowtails laying eggs on my Sweet Bay Magnolia. I planted the Sweet Bay Magnolia as it is more bush-like than the Tulip tree in the front yard. The top is now about seven feet high. I do keep it trimmed downed just so I can see the eggs when they are laid. It's interesting that it's August 22nd - fairly late in the season.

I'm assuming they will stay in the chrysalis form over winter, much like Black Swallowtails.

This has been a very good year for the Tigers I can usually count on seeing at least one, but frequently two or three of them in the garden every day.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:522625}}

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Comments (3)

butterflymomok
12 years ago
This is great news, as I have a Sweet Bay in a pot to plant this fall. I love the Tulip tree, but it grows so fast, and eggs are difficult to find.

Enjoyed the photos.

sandy
MissSherry
12 years ago
It's good to hear they'll use sweetbay.
There are lots of big ones in the bottom of the hollow, but their leaves are too high up for me to see what's up there.
I once found a sweetbay moth cocoon on the lower branches of a young tree, but that's about it.
Congrats, congrats!
Sherry
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christie_sw_mo
12 years ago
It's good to hear your Sweetbay magnolia is paying off. It's high on my wish list, near the top right under Ptelea trifoliata. : )
Tiger's have been using my Tulip tree as a host this year but normally they don't and I've wondered if they would prefer Sweetbay here. I'm in Missouri but I think I might be in the south as far as Tigers are concerned. The females I see are almost always the dark form (Isn't that a southern trait) and I've read that they prefer Sweetbay in the south so I want to try it.