Gracing open woodlands, meadows, and gardens across much of North America, the pipevine swallowtail, scientifically known as Battus philenor, is a butterfly of captivating beauty and crucial ecological significance. With its velvety black wings adorned with iridescent blue-green highlights and its distinctive, undulating flight, this elegant insect serves as a living advertisement of its toxicity, playing a key role in mimicry complexes that protect other species.