Zebra swallowtail at Pocosin Lakes NWR

Published 7:51 am Tuesday, May 25, 2021

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The pawpaw tree is the host for zebra swallowtail caterpillars.

Once the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, its average lifespan is about one month.

Many creatures feed on butterflies, so the swallowtail has a challenge staying alive, even for a month. Some of their predators are frogs, toads, wasps, lizards, dragonflies, windshields, snakes and birds, according to USFWS.

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This one was spotted at Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

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