Editing Papilio rutulus (section)

== Life Cycle ==
The life cycle of tiger swallowtail butterflies begins when a female carefully lays individual eggs on different host plants, ensuring that the [[Larva|larvae]] have enough space and resources to thrive without overcrowding. After hatching, the caterpillar goes through multiple developmental stages. In its early stages, the caterpillar resembles bird droppings for camouflage and has eye spots to defend against predators.   

Once the larval stage is complete, the caterpillar enters the [[Pupa|pupal]] stage, forming a chrysalis–a hard shell used for protection while it develops into a butterfly. The pupal stage can last from a couple of weeks to several months, depending on environmental conditions.   

The caterpillar undergoes [[metamorphosis]] and emerges a butterfly. In the adult stage, within a few hours of emerging, the butterfly's wings dry and expand, allowing it to fly. During this stage, the butterfly focuses on reproduction and finding a mate. Once the female is fertilized, the cycle begins again.