The photos below show a giant swallowtail, Heraclides cresphontes or Papilio cresphontes, as it emerges from its chrysalis and hangs vertically to allow its wings to expand and dry. Giants that visit our gardens often lay their eggs on the blue mound rue that grows there.  Though their visits are a treat for gardeners in the northern part of the United States, Giant Swallowtails are considered pests in the south because their caterpillars consume large amounts of leaves from citrus trees.  The caterpillars are often referred to as orange dogs.

The adults love to nectar on butterfly bush, Joe Pye weed, Mexican sunflower, and zinnias.