Photo by Don Webb
Messenger photographer Don Webb found this Tiger Swallowtail butterfly on his screen Tuesday morning. It is common to the woodland areas of the eastern United States and Canada this time of year. They're called swallowtails because they have long "tails" on their hind wings, which look like the pointed tails of swallows. They drink sweet flower nectar, especially from pink flowers. The males have yellow and black stripes. Most females are brown or black, mimicking the poisonous Pipevine butterfly, according to www.enchantedlearning.com. Webb has a butterfly bush in his yard that attracts them but, he said, they are attracted to all pink flowers.