Walked out to the barn and noticed this beauty enjoying my Common Rue (Ruta graveolens)

Yay! I've been teaching people not to kill them when they find them on their parsley, fennel, or dill. Most people actually freak out when they know it's going to be a butterfly. That's why I educate. I just tell them to plant a couple more plants than they really need and move the cats over to one of those "sacrificial" plants. That way, everyone wins!

Swallowtails are some of my favorites and I was delighted to see this out there the other day. My rue is always alive with beneficial insects and that's why I grow it in numerous places around the property.