[Ctleps-l] Giant Swallowtails

[Lemmon]

Late last summer we noticed a Giant Swallowtail and a Black Swallowtail 
ova-positing on Common Rue, Ruta graveolens, in our garden.  When the eggs 
hatched we rescued the caterpillars and brought them inside our screened porch 
so they would not be predated by wasps.  We continued to feed the cats Common 
Rue and wintered them over in their crysalis stage. Over the last 5 days one 
Black Swallowtail and three Giant Swallowtail butterflies eclosed and we 
released them into the yard.

We have had Common Rue growing in the yard for a few years but last summer was 
the first time we saw butterflies laying eggs on them.  Common Rue is a nice 
perennial with blue green foliage and small yellow flowers.  It grows about 24" 
tall and 18" wide, likes full sun and is not invasive.  It can be found in 
garden centers and some nurseries.


Carol & Gary Lemmon
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