As I mentioned up here, I don't feed 'beneficial' insects to my CPs (at least not deliberately) and, in fact, I have gardens planted to help increase their numbers. Around 10 years ago (give or take a few), we built a deck and a pergola overhead - off our kitchen. One of the vines I planted to grow over the pergola was a pipevine species (Aristolochia), chosen specifically because it is the foodplant for Pipevine swallowtails. While these butterflies are fairly common in the south, up here in NJ, they are very localized due to the fact that pipevine is not common. About 3-4 years ago, we had our 1st group of caterpillars and this year we've had our 2nd. Unlike the 1st year, when we had more than 25, this year I've only located 4 caterpillars. They all 'disappeared' 2 days ago, so I suspect that there are four chrysalis somewhere nearby.
Being shy...
Looking around ...
Again, I know it's a very anthropocentric view, but this guy got a little shove when the picture-taking was complete .... (and I didn't even feel bad)
Being shy...
Looking around ...
Again, I know it's a very anthropocentric view, but this guy got a little shove when the picture-taking was complete .... (and I didn't even feel bad)
Either way, I'm not likely to get any pics ... while my little point & shoot can work ok for 'calm' butterflies that don't move a lot and allow me to get close, Pipevine swallowtails are neither. They almost never stop their fluttering, move around quickly from bloom to bloom and don't allow close approaches (typically). Maybe when I get a DSLR with the 100mm macro.... 
