05/30/2026
You’re looking at a future butterfly! This is the largest butterfly in North America! 🦋 The Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
I’m often asked how we have so many butterflies. We simply let nature take its course.
804 CR 2293 Cleveland TX 77327
Open Thursdays 10a-5p and Friday-Sunday 9a-7p
Here’s some fun facts about the Giant Swallowtail Butterfly. 🦋
It’s striking black and yellow wings and large size (up to 7 inches wingspan). Its caterpillars, called "orange dogs," feed on citrus and other plants, camouflaging as bird droppings before transforming into a chrysalis and emerging as a beautiful butterfly, often found in gardens where host plants like citrus, hoptree, or rue are present.
Appearance
Adult: Black wings with diagonal yellow bars and spots, yellow body, and distinctive "tails" on the hindwings. The underside is mostly yellow with black, blue, and red markings.
Caterpillar: Starts as a brown and white mottled "bird dropping" mimic, later developing into a green caterpillar with black and orange markings, resembling a snake.
Life Cycle & Behavior
Host Plants: Larvae feed on plants in the citrus family (like lemon, lime, orange) and others like hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata) and rue (Ruta graveolens).
Defense: Young caterpillars use camouflage; older ones can eject a foul-smelling, horn-like organ (osmeterium) when threatened.
Habitat: Found across eastern North America, from Canada to Central America, often in gardens, fields, and citrus groves.
Flight: Adults have a powerful, loping flight and nectar on flowers like lantana, goldenrod, and citrus blossoms.
How to Attract Them
Plant citrus trees, hoptree, or rue in your garden.
Avoid using pesticides, especially on host plants.
