Giant Swallowtail

Scientific name: Papilio cresphontes Cramer
(Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Facts: The giant swallowtail is the largest butterfly in North America. It is easily recognized by the conspicuous yellow pattern on a black background. Larvae of the giant swallowtail feed on citrus and are called orange dogs. Caterpillars in the north feed on other plants such as prickly ash.

Photo credit: Mike Quinn