Pipe Vine Swallowtail Butterfly

This large black and purple swallowtail is found thoughout most of the United States, but especially in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The spread of the pipe vine plant as a gardening favorite has resulted in a similar spread of this butterfly, which uses pipe vine almost exclusively as its larval host plant. The Pipe Vine Swallowtail can be found on the wing almost throughout the year in the South, and from spring to fall in the cooler areas of the North. The wings of the Pipe Vine Swallowtail flutter quickly while the butterfly takes nectar. The larvae feed on various species of pipe vine. Its favorite nectar plants are Butterfly bush, lilac, azalea and petunias.

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© copyright 2001 by Chris Aker