Giant Swallowtail

This realative newcomer to Southern California is the largest butterfly in North America.  Its range is Southern California and Arizona; southeastern Canada, the United States east of the Rockies and into Mexico. They are found feeding on flowers in gardens and visiting citrus orchards.  The caterpillar resembles a bird dropping and feeds on citrus, rue, hop trees and prickly-ash. Photo by Laurel Woodley