Giant swallowtail

The largest butterfly in North America, the giant swallowtail is dark brown crossed with bold bands of yellow, spanning up to six inches. It sails through gardens and woodland edges with a slow, gliding flight.

Once mainly southern, it has spread north in recent decades. Adults nectar on a wide range of flowers.

Its caterpillar, known as the orangedog, mimics a fresh bird dropping and feeds on the citrus family, including native prickly-ash and hoptree.