A Giant Swallowtail. They're rare where I live and this one is well worn, suggesting he's been around for a while.
If I used pesticides on my lawn chances are I would never have gotten to see him because this poor fellow would have been poisoned before I spotted him (I'm not sure of the gender, I just made a wild guess and named him George).
Pollinators around the world are in trouble due, in part, to overuse of pesticides. Farmer in the US are doing a good job of reducing their pesticide use so pesticide companies are targeting the home consumer with products that recommend regular pesticide application whether you see a problem or not and "weed and feed" fertilizers that come with pesticide included and companies that charge you to apply pesticide to your lawn on their schedule. I'm SURE they're honest about your needs and not putting down extra pesticide and fertilizer so they can increase their profits (heavy, heavy sarcasm)
[I honestly don't know why people put pesticide on the LAWN. I've never notice insect damage to my lawn. The dogs have done some damage And the neighborhood kids. And the dry weather. But not insects.]
So next time you reach for that pesticide just because remember this gorgeous fellow and ask yourself if loosing pollinators, including butterflies, is worth it to have a "perfect" monoculture lawn.
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