Editing Papilio rutulus (section)

== Behavior ==
Due to their remarkable adaptations, the western tiger swallowtail butterfly can flourish in [[Temperate forest|temperate]] and [[Taiga|boreal woodlands]], especially in northern North America. Unlike many tropical swallowtail species, western tiger swallowtails can tolerate cold winters as diapausing pupae, frequently surviving beneath snow by physiological processes that may involve [[Cryoprotectant|cryoprotectants]]. Their developmental success at higher latitudes has been attributed to their ability to feed on a diverse variety of host plants, extending beyond the tropical families that the majority of swallowtails rely on.
 
These butterflies exhibit a seasonal flying pattern, with males emerging in the spring to mate with females, who then lay fertilized eggs on host plants. As a way to protect themselves from predators or enhance leaf quality, the larvae occasionally engage in leaf-clipping behaviors as they develop and feed on them. They typically have one to three generations each year, depending on the region, and adult butterflies tend to be smaller in colder climates, allowing for better survival in shorter growth seasons.