We recently spotted an eastern giant swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) at the Morris—a rare spotting in PA! The eastern giant swallowtail is the largest butterfly in North America, with females averaging a wingspan of 5.5 inches and up to 6.9 inches while males average 5.8 inches and up to 7.4 inches. These butterflies mostly inhabit deciduous forest and citrus orchards. They feed on plants in the orange family, including common pricklyash (Xanthoxylum americanum) which we have here at the Morri

The largest butterfly in the United States, the Giant Swallowtail, visited my garden today. What a sight! I thought it was a hummingbird out of the corner of my eye | Melinda-Rose Valencia

Caterpillars of the giant swallowtail butterfly (Papilio cresphontes) have a few tricks up their sleeve to avoid becoming a meal. First, looking like bird droppings is a pretty good way to stay off the menu. If a predator can get past this caterpillar’s unappealing appearance, a shocking “plan B” comes into play. When threatened, the caterpillar projects a smelly appendage – which looks just like a snake’s tongue – out of its forehead! This caterpillar of North America’s largest butterfly was fo