new Swallowtail species

[HpAzures at aol.com]

All: 

I'd like to announce that today is the official publication date of new 
species Pterourus appalachiensis (Appalachian Tiger Swallowtail).  This is 
the result of several years of observations and field work that has 
determined that there is something very unusual going on with Tiger 
Swallowtails in the Appalachian region. So unusual, that we have concluded 
that a unique species of Tiger Swallowtail exists in the Appalachian region. 

What is more interesting, is that this MAY actually be the predominant Tiger 
Swallowtail that is flying in Connecticut RIGHT NOW (June - early July), 
though much more work regarding host selection in New England is required. 
 In other words: "everything you think you may know about New England Tiger 
Swallowtails is wrong".  Watch for any giant-sized Tiger Swallowtail that 
looks somewhat like a Canadian Tiger Swallowtail.  The females look very 
similar to the males, and only have slightly more blue on the upperside 
hindwing than the males.  I have done some rearing of Tiger Swallowtails when 
I lived in Rhode Island, and have concluded that there are at least three 
species of Tiger in southern New England: Canadian, Eastern, and Appalachian, 
though these conclusions are very preliminary.  Note that black form females 
are very rare in Connecticut.  These have occured infrequently in southern 
Rhode Island, though. 

I don't have reprints to offer at this time, but reprints will be available 
starting today from The International Lepidoptera Survey (www.tils-ttr.org) 
by going online and ordering them directly from TILS.  Ask for: 

Pavulaan, H. & D. M. Wright.  2002.  "Pterourus appalachiensis (Papilionidae: 
Papilioninae), a New Swallowtail Butterfly from the Appachian Region of the 
United States".  The International Lepidoptera Survey.  The Taxonomic Report 
3(7). 

My suggestion to Connecticut butterfliers is to take very careful note of the 
appearance of any Tiger Swallowtail that is flying from now through summer. 
 Take photos whenever possible.  I will be glad to look at them and provide 
comment.  Also, record and report any egg-laying activity.  We need to know 
what the host is. Also, if any of you raise butterflies (preferrably under 
natural conditions of temperature and humidity), it would be very important 
to know when the adult butterflies emerge from their chrysalids. 

Harry Pavulaan 
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