Here's a natural critter + plant combination, Pipevine Swallowtail caterpillars on their host plant, a pipevine leaf.
The pipevine swallowtail larvae host exclusively on their namesake pipevine plants. The adults seek out the plant and lay their eggs on new growth leaves. While these butterflies pair exclusively with pipevine plants as the larval host, other butterflies and moths have multiple host plant species.
A few years ago I planted pipevine plants (aristolochia macrophylla) in my garden, the swallowtails now have a place to lay eggs on my vines and are becoming common around my neighborhood. They are native here in the Western NC area, but are unusual in residential areas, they are usually found in the mountains where wild pipevine plants are abundant.
The adult butterflies make great photo subjects as well, I'm sure I will show them off in a future post, --
perhaps in another combination contest.
Pipevine Swallowtail Caterpillar on Pipevine Leaf
My pipevine garden is behind me
