State Insect Of Virginia

June 29, 2025

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), the state insect of Virginia, and one of our largest butterflies, with a wingspan ranging from 3.1 to 5.5 inches. Quite familiar in its native range of eastern US, extending north into southern Ontario.

Along with many other pollinators, it’s visiting Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), which provides both nectar and pollen.

These Milkweed plants are volunteers here and I’m delighted to have them since they are so popular with so many of the pollinators!

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Published by

Brenda Clements Jones

Brenda is a certified Virginia Master Naturalist, a Habitat Defender for Shenandoah National Park, and a devoted fan of Mother Nature. She lives in a cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Shenandoah National Park, and hikes up to the higher elevations of her mountain often to see what nature is up to. Her constant hiking companion is a camera that captures nature as it unfolds through the seasons. It’s her goal to share the natural world around her through her photographs.