08/12/2026
Wow! We have Giant Swallowtail Caterpillars in our Garden Canter. We aren’t going to sell them - we would rather just let them do their thing while we all enjoy watching!!!
I see quite a few Monarch Butterflies in the Garden Center - they certainly have their favorite flowers, but I have never seen Giant Swallowtail butterflies!
These guys landed themselves on our Rue plants. I have also had customers order dill plants, specifically for the Swallowtail butterflies! They are voracious eaters, destroying any plant they are on. I read that they like citrus, so I am surprised they didn’t plunk down on our lemon balm.
🦋The eggs are round and orange or yellowish in color. They can be damaging to a citrus farm!
🦋Once the caterpillar emerges, they are voracious eaters and will molt several times!
🦋Once it is large enough it will enter the pupa stage and form its chrysalis- which should be green or brown
🦋Once ready, an adult butterfly will emerge!! Some of their favorite flowers for nectar are lantana, bougainvillea, and azaleas!
🦋According to one source, they are the largest butterfly in North America!!!!
So come on down to our butterfly hatchery, I mean Garden Center, and see what we are up to!!!