Zebra Swallowtail

Cabbage White butterfly feeding at thistle

I caught just a glimpse of her,
skipping boldly through the field
on the long, striped wings I have waited for.

Coneflower in garden

But today, I cannot find her,
though at every other flower and stem,
wings lay open,
hungry mouths feed.

Skipper feeding at teasel

Little Wood-Satyr on goldenrod stem

I hope she will remember me,
the Paw-Paws planted,
just as she likes them,
in the shaded grove.

Three small trees.

Paw paws planted

Zebra Swallowtail, Eurytides marcellus

Just as Monarchs go with milkweed, so, too, do Zebra Swallowtails and the Paw-Paw tree.
As wooded areas are cleared, this native understory tree is often lost.
In April, hoping to attract Zebra Swallowtail butterflies, I planted 3 small trees.

View more ABC Wednesdays here!