Giant Swallowtail

The Giant Swallowtail butterfly is said to be the largest butterfly on this continent. The caterpillars of this species camouflage themselves as bird droppings to escape notice by their predators.

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  • Hop Tree (Ptelea trifoliata)

    Common Prickly-Ash (Zanthoxylum americanum)

  • Citrus - Citrus spp

    Common Rue - Ruta graveolens

    Hercules Club - Zanthoxylum clava-herculis

    Lime Prickly-Ash - Zanthoxylum fagara

    Torchwood - Amyris elemifera

  • Can be found puddling. They also feed on dung and rotting fruit.

    Buttonbush, Goldenrod, Joe-Pye Weed, Milkweed, Monarda, Purple Coneflower, Thistle

  • Azalea, Brazilian Verbena, Butterfly Bush, Bougainvilla, Chives, Citrus, Lantana, Mexican Sunflower, Pentas, Scabiosa, Zinnia

  • April - October. Two - three broods each year.

  • Butterflies and Moths of North America butterfliesandmoths.org

    Brenda Dziedzic, Raising Butterflies in the Garden

    Heather Holm, Pollinators of Native Plants

    National Wildlife Federation nwf.org

    Xerces Society xerces.org