How to attract the elegant zebra swallowtail butterfly to your yard by growing nectar plants. Also discover the host plant for the caterpillars. And if you didn’t know it already it is our loveable Pawpaw tree. Many members along with one other member have brought this to the front stage. Interested join us at festivals and workshops.

At this year’s NAPGA Field Day and Grafting Workshop we had the information that you need to bring these beautiful butterflies into your landscape. You will see what takes to incorporate these with very little trouble into backyard paradise.

The zebra swallowtail butterfly is boldly zebra striped in black and white with red accents. Wings have bold black stripes on a white or teal-white background. Hindwings feature a red stripe on the underside and a lengthy tail. A red spot at the base of the wings creates a place for predators to aim away from the tiny body, increasing chances of survival.

Adults that emerge in summer tend to have even longer tails than springtime broods. Their wingspan is 2 1/2 to 4 inches. You can store the ones in the later part of the summer and have them ready for your spring garden.