Composition : Silver plated copper
Mintage : 20,000

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 toten 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 its most fascinating. The name of the order for all butterflies, Lepidoptera, means scale winged and refers to the unique structure of butterfly wings, which are composed of microscopic scales layered ona 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 inthis 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 andprevalent 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 the Tiger Swallowtail.
 

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