Probably the biggest highlight of our 2020 season was the sighting of the giant swallowtail butterfly, Papilio cresphontes. There are few records for Maine and none that I could find for MDI for this species, historical or contemporary. BugGuide.net had no records of this species in Maine, Butterflies and Moths of North America had no modern records north of Portland, and the Maine Butterfly Survey had a number of modern records but none from MDI. All in all, this is a significant record. This species is more southern in its distribution, its larvae feeding primarily on citrus (on which it is considered a pest), as well as hoptree (Ptelea trifoliata). The hoptree does occur in Maine, though I do not know if it is on MDI, has anyone seen any? The butterfly may have just wandered north…
Rick LeDuc, Thuya Garden Manager