The Zebra Swallowtail butterfly feeds almost exclusively on the leaves of the Pawpaw tree. When searching for the pawpaw fruit late in the summer, it is always a good indicator of nearby trees when these zebras are sighted. I was surprised to see them this early in the spring since I had seen no butterflies of any kind before today, and the pawpaws have just barely started to leaf out. The several days of 80 degree weather must have stimulated them.
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Mar 25, 2012 @ 20:25:51
You scored a great one today, congrats and thanks for sharing ,MJ
Mar 25, 2012 @ 20:28:39
Thanks MJ
Mar 25, 2012 @ 21:14:15
Hi Frank, Great catch! Because of the pale color, I’m wondering if you might have a Tiger Swallowtail, rather than a Zebra. There are Eastern and Western varieties; I checked them out athttps://www.google.com/search?q=swallowtail&hl=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=TM1vT9v7JM7egQfR6Yhs&ved=0CGUQsAQ&biw=1206&bih=597#q=swallowtail&hl=en&sa=X&tbm=isch&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=80f61e7c9086b795&biw=1206&bih=597. I agree with you completely that it’s too early for such warm-weather harbingers and share your deep concern. What have we done to this world of ours?
Mar 26, 2012 @ 15:32:21
The red spots on the rump give it away as a zebra. I think the Tigers have blue spots.
Mar 26, 2012 @ 15:06:00
great shot Frank!