Canadian Tiger Swallowtail: Harbinger of Spring

The Canadian Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio canadensis) is one of Canada's most recognizable butterflies. With its broad wingspan of up to ten centimetres and the distinctive yellow and black tiger stripe pattern on its wings and body, the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail is a striking feature of springtime in Canada.

The Swallowtail's showiest attributes - its wings - are also itsmost fascinating. The name of the order for all butterflies, Lepidoptera, means scale winged and refers to the unique structure ofbutterfly wings, which are composed of microscopic scales layered on a thin, transparent membrane called chitin that stretches over structures that are much like veins. This wing construction, which is being studied by scientists for applications in photonics and solar heating, helps butterflies to collect solar heat as they bask in the sun. The black colouring common on the wings of many butterflies, including the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, is also important in this process. The unique internal structure of the wing scales is responsible for the shimmering colour of many butterfly wings.

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Found at the edges of hardwood forests and prevalent in flower gardens and among flowering bushes like lilac, the Canadian Tiger Swallowtail is common in all regions of Canada from mid-May to July. Its range extends from southern Canada to the Arctic Circle.

This coin is the first issue of the Butterflies of Canada* collection.
The first coin of the series, released in 2013, depicts theTiger Swallowtail.**
The second coin of the series, released in 2014, depicts the Red-Spotted Purple.
The third and the last coin of the series, released in 2015, depicts the Colias Gigantea.
*It is actually the second series of coin on this theme: six coins were produced between 2004 and 2006.
**The Tiger Swallowtail was also released as a 50-cent coin, in silver plated copper. However the Royal Canadian Mint did not continue the production of this 50 cent-coin the next year.

BUTTERFLIES OF CANADA - TIGER SWALLOWTAIL - 2013 CANADIAN COINS 01 is categorised COINS AND PAPER MONEY / 08- ROYAL CANADIAN MINT / 10- FLORA, FAUNA & NATURE and sold by l'Imaginaire, a store and specialised website.