Newly hatched Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
Found this in our backyard today, so new that it’s wings weren’t even fully expanded. A big surprise, considering the dearth of butterflies this season, at least here. We’ve never seen this one before, but I think we’ve seen its caterpillars. They look like, well, bird poop. I have some photos of the larvae somewhere, and when I find them I’ll post them. I suspect that this magnificent butterfly was nurtured on our Wafer Ash, since they like citrus and this tree has some citrusy connections, Nadia tells me (plus I seem to remember finding those poopy caterpillars there). I have read that this is the largest North American butterfly. I can attest that it is certainly big, with a 4-5 inch wingspan.
It was a refreshing discovery in the middle of our severe drought and heat. I wish it well.
Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes). Front view.
