National Pollinator Week (June 19th-25th) Day 4

This is an Eastern Black Swallowtail, a common butterfly throughout eastern North America. Although they are less efficient than bees at moving pollen between plants, butterflies play an important role in pollination. They don't pick up much pollen on their bodies because of their long legs and don't have handy 'containers' to carry it in like the bees' pollen sacs. Our Swallowtails have begun to lay eggs (oviposit) on the fennel plants we grow just for them. In their larval stage, EBS caterpillars appreciate plants from the carrot family, including fennel, dill and parsley. If you aren't seeing butterflies around your space, why not plant some of their favorite nectar and caterpillar food plants?