I've seen four swallowtail butterflies today, but I couldn't get close enough to identify the species because I can't fly nor did I have my glasses on. Darn. I think I know what they're after, though. Prairie plants, especially this one...
Golden Alexander (Zizia aurea) is the black swallowtail's(Papilio polyxenes) host plant which means this butterfly lays its eggs on the plant, and when the larva emerge, they feast! What a cool sight to see! I do recall last year's potted plants getting beat up, but I never once took those fat caterpillars off...
...We will continue to transport some of these little guys to Farmers' Market, and more than likely, they will host butterflies. YES!!!
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