Spotted just outside my cabin today. The caterpillar of a Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor). The larval host of this Swallowtail are plants in the genus Aristolochia. The leaves of these plants contain aristolochic acid, which is toxic to some animals, which protects the Pipevine Swallowtail. 

This is the adult Pipevine Swallowtail. They are protected by the toxicity and distastefulness of aristolochic acid. Many predators know to avoid them.

Woolly Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia tomentosa). It’s native to southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. This is a plant in the genus Aristolochia. One of those plants that is a larval host plants of the Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly. That is why I planted this vigorous vine, and I’m really pleased to see the caterpillars and the butterflies! Mission accomplished!

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