They’re Back! – Pipevine Swallowtail Butterflies

Something amazing (amazing to me, at least) has happened in my garden! For the second year in a row, a Pipevine Swallowtail butterfly (Battus philenor) has laid eggs on the Aristolochia californica, or pipevine, that grows on the garden arbor.

Yesterday, as I sat in the middle of the path that leads through my fruit orchard/flower garden/chicken’s Garden of Eden admiring the tenacity of the honey bee, I noticed a Swallowtail butterfly delicately touching down on the host plant. I thought, could this be? Could the offspring of last year’s hatching be returning to perpetuate another generation?

When she finished her graceful dance and fluttered out of sight, I walked over to take a look. Inspecting each leaf carefully, I was sure to find a precious deposit, but sadly, nothing.

Then today, as I crouched close to the earth, planting lovely floxgloves and chamomile between the fruit trees, I remembered yesterday’s butterfly. I jumped up, and tripping over my own feet, ran toward the arbor thinking maybe I had just overlooked the eggs. I desperately wanted to know if a gift had been left behind after all.

Sure enough, glowing in the afternoon sunlight, 11 tiny reddish-brown eggs clung to the main stem and a tender leaf petiole, braving the wind that howled up the gully behind our house. Happiness washed over me and I thanked Mother Nature for her generosity. I thanked her for blessing my family with the opportunity to observe the Pipevine Swallowtail life cycle once again.

Amber Galusha

Always exploring, creating and cultivating, and sharing what I observe along the way. To visit my professional site, click here.

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Wild_Bill - April 30, 2011 - 10:11 am

What a glorious discovery. This photo is so cool! Hope you will keep us posted as things develop!

Amber - April 30, 2011 - 2:39 pm

Absolutely, Bill. In fact, I am heading out to plant a few more veggies now and to take a photo of the progress. Stay tuned…

phyte club katie - April 30, 2011 - 11:09 pm

Lucky, lucky, lucky. Don’t you love being effortlessly tuned in to this stuff? It’s like, once you know it’s there, you can’t help but look (or, in your case, jump up and trip over your own feet…!). Personally, I’m so grateful to know what it feels like to be taken by the wonders of nature. And I know you are too…given the fact that you’re drunk on nature. Anyway, sweet post. Looking forward to the follow-up.

Amber - May 1, 2011 - 8:44 am

I am so happy to see your comment here today, Katie. Thank you for your mindfulness toward nature…we need more people like you in this world : )