Beautiful Butterflies!

A couple of weeks ago one of our fabulous Dismal Damsels (Miss Tara) noticed a cute and colorful caterpillar hanging out on her dill plant.

This cute little guy came back to visit her recently as a beautiful black swallowtail butterfly!

Black swallowtails are found throughout the eastern United States and will often visit herb gardens to lay eggs on parsley, dill and fennel. The caterpillar uses its coloring to blend into its parsley family hosts.  Development time depends on temperature and the host plant species.

A black swallowtail lives on average only 10-12 days but can sometimes live as long as 35-40 days.

Take a look in your herb garden or backyard and see what you find!