States often select symbols to celebrate their heritage, natural environment, and significant attributes. These designations highlight aspects that embody a state’s unique character and contribute to a shared sense of identity. This practice fosters appreciation for the diverse natural and cultural elements that define each state.
Meet Virginia’s State Insect
Virginia’s official state insect is the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly, scientifically known as Papilio glaucus. This large and striking butterfly is easily recognizable by its bright yellow wings adorned with four distinct black tiger-like stripes on each forewing. Its wingspan typically ranges from three to five-and-a-half inches, making it one of the larger butterfly species in the eastern United States.
Male Eastern Tiger Swallowtails consistently display this vivid yellow and black striped pattern. However, females exhibit two forms: one that mirrors the male’s yellow coloration, and a darker, melanistic form that is almost entirely black or dark gray. This darker variant, often with iridescent blue on the hindwings, is believed to mimic the unpalatable Pipevine Swallowtail, providing a defense mechanism against predators. Both sexes typically have a single teardrop-shaped tail on the bottom of each hindwing, characteristic of swallowtail butterflies.
The Path to Designation
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail was officially designated as Virginia’s state insect in 1991. This formal recognition is enshrined in the Code of Virginia, specifically under ยง 1-510, which lists official emblems and designations for the Commonwealth. The journey to its designation began much earlier, in 1976, when entomologist Michael Kosztarab proposed the native tiger swallowtail as an alternative to a suggested non-native insect.
Although the initial proposal faced legislative hurdles, it was reintroduced in 1991 with support from organizations like the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs. The butterfly was chosen for several reasons, including its widespread presence across Virginia and its harmless, colorful, and graceful nature. It also holds historical significance as the first North American insect to be scientifically described, with the original specimens originating from Virginia.
Life and Role in the Ecosystem
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail undergoes complete metamorphosis through four stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly. Adult females lay small, yellowish-green eggs, typically singly on the underside of host plant leaves. These eggs usually hatch within four to ten days, depending on environmental conditions.
Upon hatching, caterpillars begin to feed. Young caterpillars are initially brown and white, resembling bird droppings for camouflage. As they mature, they turn vibrant green, developing a swollen thorax and false eye-spots that mimic a snake’s head to deter predators. When disturbed, they can also extend a Y-shaped, foul-smelling osmeterium. This stage lasts three to four weeks, during which they consume leaves from host trees like tulip trees, wild black cherry, ash, and willow.
After feeding, the caterpillar transforms into a chrysalis, a pupal stage. The chrysalis varies in color to blend with surroundings, often attaching to plant stems or tree trunks. This stage typically lasts ten to twenty days, though late-summer chrysalises may overwinter in dormancy (diapause). Adult butterflies emerge with a short lifespan of six to fourteen days, focused on feeding and reproduction.
Eastern Tiger Swallowtails are common throughout Virginia, inhabiting diverse environments like woodlands, forests, riversides, swamps, and suburban gardens. As adults, they feed on nectar from flowering plants such as milkweed, phlox, lilac, and wild cherry, using their long proboscis. This feeding behavior makes them important pollinators, contributing to plant fertilization. Males often engage in “puddling,” congregating on damp soil to extract essential salts and minerals. Their presence highlights their role in supporting Virginia’s biodiversity and ecosystem health.