The polydamas, “gold rim” swallowtail butterflies have had a phenomenal year in the butterfly garden so far this year.

There were a few days I didn’t have an opportunity to walk through the garden and by the third day, wow. My birthwort plant is crawling with a couple dozen polydamas caterpillars feasting away on its host plant.

It’s fun to watch these guys grow. When they are smaller they stay together in a pack, but eventually spread out as they get bigger.