Papilio cresphontes

Also known as Giant Swallowtail, Orange Dog, Orange Puppy

Eastern giant swallowtails dominate sunny fields and forest edges with sweeping flights powered by massive, dark brown wings diagonally banded in radiant yellow. Females deposit orange eggs singly on host plants in the rue family, where young caterpillars mimic wet bird droppings to evade songbirds. When threatened, the caterpillars extrude a foul-smelling, reddish organ called an osmeterium from behind their heads to repel predators.