Midsummer Tiger Swallowtail

Nature Talk
1

So, I was just reading an article about the Midsummer Tiger Swallowtail:

https://www.sci.news/biology/papilio-solstitius-13710.html

And I see that one of my original “hybrids” on iNat. was designated Midsummer, but the article suggests Midsummer is a late June-early July species, yes? So in Northeast Pennsylvania (NY border) on the Appalachian Plateau, a May date (the 19th) would make that butterfly too early for Midsummer? It would have to be an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail? Not Appalachian because it’s too far north and not Canadian because it’s too far south? I’m confused. I’m just trying to figure out if it’s possible to ID tentatively by dates, so I’m less likely to misidentify what I see this summer. Any help would be appreciated. Between these and crescents, I now feel like I’m not up to the task of identifying what I’m seeing. :)

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I understand your confusion! Unfortunately, a somewhat ill-conceived taxon split was initiated, which automatically converted nearly all “Canadian x Easter Tiger Swallowtail” identifications to the Midsummer Tiger, sight unseen. This created problems like you have noted. Many early and late records, which should not be attributed to the Midsummer Tiger, are now identified as that species. Your May record is most likely referable to the spring brood of the Eastern Tiger, which exhibits characters of both species. Until all the supposed “Midsummer Tiger” records are properly vetted, we will have many erroneous identifications of this species on iNat.

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