Swallowtail Butterflies in Canada a Sign of Warming

By ⋅ July 17, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment
Swallowtail butterfly. (Photo: Christer Johansson/ Wiki Media)

Swallowtail butterfly. (Photo: Christer Johansson/ Wiki Media)

This Geo Quiz is fluttering in the wind. The Giant Swallowtail butterfly likes to touch down on prickly ash plants. Normally, this tropical butterfly is found in southern latitudes, down around Central and South America.

But we’re looking for North American city where Giant Swallowtails have been turning up, and where the first native representative of the species recently flew out of its cocoon.

This city is located at the confluence of the Saint Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers.

Scientists there say the Giant Swallowtail butterfly’s habitat is gradually shifting north, given the recent mild winter weather in the province of Quebec.

Have you guessed yet where a Giant Swallowtail butterfly has turned up? Montreal, Quebec is the answer.

Maxim L’Arivee is an entomologist and a expert on butterflies at Montreal’s Insectarium.

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Discussion

One comment for “Swallowtail Butterflies in Canada a Sign of Warming”

  • JigJane

    We just saw two of these yesterday in the woods on our farm in southeastern Minnesota.  We were impressed by their beauty and wondered what they were. Now we know! Thank you.