These common black butterflies are easily identified by the C-shaped row of reddish-orange spots on the underside of the hindwing.

Clay Co., NC 5/14/05.

This fresh one is enjoying nectaring on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

Orange Co., NC 6/15/06.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Mated pair.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

The upper side is mostly black with a metallic blue hindwing and a row of small white spots.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/7/02.

Pipevine Swallowtail is found throughout NC, feeding on the inconspicuous Virginia Snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria), but much more common in the mountains, where its main host is the huge, huge-leaved liana Pipevine (A. macrophylla).

Buncombe Co., NC 7/7/02.

Just emerged, still pumping up its wings. Dare Co., NC 3/24/02.

Pipevines find fresh horse manure to be irresistible. Buncombe Co., NC 7/7/02.

Pipevine (Aristolochia macrophylla) is their usual host plant in the Mountains. Since Pipevine is common and has huge leaves, Pipevine Swallowtails are correspondingly very common in the Mountains.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/7/02.

The caterpillars are pretty wild looking -- black with red knobs and strange fleshy antennae-like projections.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.