The Pipevine Swallowtail
Insect art to promote insect growth and development.
The Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor) is a common butterfly of the USA. Its life cycle starts with the female laying small batches of orange eggs on the underside of the leaves of a native host plant, the Dutchman's Pipevine, Aristolochia macrophylla. The caterpillars feed in small groups when young, but become solitary when older.The caterpillars as well as thebutterflies are unpalatable to predators and many other species of butterflies mimic their appearance. The caterpillar forms a chrysalis that is attached near but not often on its host plant. In order to safely overwinter, the caterpillar makes a silk thread (depicted here two times the actual size.) which wraps around the twig and harnesses itself for stability. Adults are common in the garden and can be found nectaring on honeysuckle (shown here) as well as phlox, teasel, azaleas, lantana, petunias, verbenas,lupines, and butterfly bush.
Artist: Mindy Lighthipe
I purchased my Dutchman's Pipevine Aristolochia macrophylla at Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.
It has been growing in my front yard for 3 years and I am hoping that the vine is big enough this year to produce flowers. It makes a gorgeous natural shade screen and should be supported to grow upright.
