While I was visiting northern Minnesota recently, the Lilac trees were blooming and many Eastern Tiger Swallowtails were flying among them. The small from the Lilacs was amazing.

A Lilac is a small tree in the Olive family, they are a widely cultivated ornamental species, native to the Balkan Peninsula. They are in other parts of Europe and North America, found in parks, yards, and gardens. The flowers are usually lilac in color, but some can be white. Lilacs are an edible plant and not poisonous to pets.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtails are one of the most common butterflies in the eastern United States, where they are native. They are large and beautiful, their colors vibrant. They can be found in many habitats and feed on many types of flowers. Their green eggs are laid on Magnolia and Rose family plants.