GORGEOUS Giant Swallowtail! And yeah--they'll pupate in weird places just like all the other butterflies out there.

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♲ Melanie - 2024-02-22 18:59:34 GMT

First butterfly of the year!And omg what a wild story. I found this swallowtail IN MY HOUSE!

So here's what I think happened. We had a freeze last month & I brought both of my calamondins inside to protect them. Citrus are hosts plants for Giant Swallowtails.

I'm guessing a chrysalis was accidently knocked off one of the calamondins & it hatched in my house. I found the butterfly in the same spot where the pots were. It was on the floor, unable to fly (which is why I'm guessing newly hatched - the wings were still wet.)

Gently scooped it up & put it outside. It's been resting in the same spot for the last hour. I've seen other newly hatched do exactly the same to dry their wings.

And honestly I have to laugh - I tried ALL LAST YEAR to get a decent Giant Swallowtail photo. Never managed it. Every one was blurry. And this year starts off w one my "holy grail" butterflies right in my own house! 😂

#butterfly #swallowtail #Lepidoptera #NaturePhotography #TexasGarden #Zone9b