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

Pipevine Swallowtail is found throughout NC, but more abundant in the mountains, where its main host is the huge, huge-leaved liana Pipevine (Aristolochia macrophylla).

Clay Co., NC 5/14/05.

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

Orange Co., NC 6/15/06.

The caterpillar host plant in the Piedmont of North Carolina is a common but inconspicuous herbaceous plant, Virginia Snakeroot (Aristolochia serpentaria).

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

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

Mt Jefferson, Ashe Co., NC 7/6/07.

Caterpillar just beginning to turn into a pupa (chrysalis).

Mt Jefferson, Ashe Co., NC 7/6/07.

Pipevine Swallowtail pupa with remnants of the caterpillar's skin still attached.

Mt Jefferson, Ashe Co., NC 7/6/07.

Pipevine Swallowtail pupa.

Mt Jefferson, Ashe Co., NC 7/6/07.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Mated pair.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Granville Co., NC 5/16/09.

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

Buncombe Co., NC 7/7/02.

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.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.

Buncombe Co., NC 7/8/06.