Sanctuary Notes: Rare Butterfly Spotted at Sanctuary
Published: July 28, 2012
.jpg "Giant Swallowtail Butterfly, © Scott Santino") On July 23, Richard Wolniewicz, IRWS Property Manager, spotted a
Giant Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio cresphontes) nectaring on the butterfly bush flowers in front of the Nature Center.
Its large size and overall dark appearance, compared to our more common Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, makes it easy to identify. Its primary host plants include Prickly Ash and Hop Tree.
The Giant Swallowtail is seen only rarely in Massachusetts. Interestingly, we also recorded sightings at the sanctuary in 2010 and 2011.
Learn more about Massachusetts butterflies:
- Scott Santino, Sanctuary Naturalist | 
