The largest butterfly in North America, with a wingspan of up to 6.9 inches. The Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes).
And in a less often seen, ventral view.
As an adult, the Giant Swallowtail dines on the nectar of many species of flowers as well as liquid from animal feces. Quite the contrast, don’t you think?
The caterpillars of these butterflies have a remarkable camouflage technique to avoid predation by taking on the look of bird droppings.
If that doesn’t discourage a potential predator, they also can use their osmeteria, which is an organ that has the appearance of a forked tongue to frighten that predator away.
The caterpillars of the Giant Swallowtail are considered a pest for those growing trees in the citrus family such as Orange and Lime.
Also in the citrus family here in Virginia, the Hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata), is host to both the Giant Swallowtail and the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail.
I’m quite glad that I don’t have orchards of citrus trees. I love having these Giant Swallowtails around to amaze me with their remarkable size.
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