Giant Swallowtail

Deciduous forests, citrus groves, suburban gardens, and open wooded areas

Caterpillars feed on leaves of citrus plants and members of the rue family (Rutaceae); adults feed on nectar from various flowers

Active flyers during daylight hours, often seen gliding gracefully around flowering plants and host trees. Females lay eggs singly on host plant leaves.

Benefits include acting as an important pollinator for various flowering plants. Caterpillars can occasionally be minor agricultural pests on commercial citrus crops, but they rarely cause severe damage.